Women have made some great strides in their perspective fields, and they continue to do so. The one issue that most come across still is the notion that “it’s still a man’s world.”

Many of them encounter this sort of mentality during their very first job. To a certain extent, it still holds true. However, some of the more recent stats that came out prove just how far women have come.

“Over 20% of all Fortune 500 companies are now run and/or controlled by females.”

There is hope on the horizon. In spite of everything that is happening, women still have a chance to make and leave their mark. In order to do this, though, young girls need to begin establishing themselves before, during, and after their first job.

Many have had to learn their lessons the hard way. Our hope is that this content will do the exact opposite and ease you into the matter at hand.

1. What You Might Be Expecting From Your Salary

This is one of the biggest mistakes young girls and even some older women make. Yes, in some ways the wage issue is a problem. However, some tend to contribute to this matter.

How? They fail to know their worth as an employee. They fail to see their worth as a person and the worth of their time. In doing so, they just accept whatever comes down the pike. Every woman needs to understand her own worth.

Some people have found that women ask for a lower salary at the very start. This does not bode well for others who are trying to make their mark in the professional world.

Every woman needs to be an example for those who are coming afterward. More need to set their own boundaries right from the start. If more women set their own wages and learned to ask for what they wanted, they would get compensated accordingly.

How can more do this successfully? Look at what the job should be paying. There are sites you can go on. Pinpoint exactly where the pay should be. Then go in with this mindset.

If more employers see women doing this and showing up with their homework done, they might just be inclined to give in. Understand the worth of your time and don’t be afraid to ask for proper compensation.

2. Failing Is Part Of The Job

This is another one of the lessons girls need to learn the sooner, the better. Failing on the job is okay. It’s fine if you make mistakes. With everything that seems to be stacked against women right from the start, many feel they must be perfect.

Some feel that if they aren’t perfect for the job, then a man will come along and take their place. In some respects, this is what helps the fall.

Many girls are taught that failing means they will be replaced. The opposite is actually more truthful. If you show you can fail at the job and learn from those mistakes, then you will have a better shot.

Making mistakes means you are human. It also means you are willing to give it another try and make amends for what you didn’t do the first time.

Think about it this way: many men have done the same. They never learned from what they did wrong. If you show the boss you can do the opposite, you have a better shot at making it in all subsequent jobs after.

Sometimes, you have to fail at least once or twice in one thing in order to find success in another.

3. You Are More Prepared Than You Realize

This is another thing that holds women back. Many feel they are not ready to move forward and they don’t have the self-confidence to do so. This is why they tend to stay in dead-end jobs for most of their life. This happens even after they have moved on from the very first workplace.

Some tend to think they will have this, that and the other in a year or so. These are all to stay exactly where they are. Why? Self-confidence.

There are many skills you can learn on the job. You have to believe that you can. The confidence gap is a major determining factor in this. If more women put this mindset aside, their skills and confidence would grow. Learn to trust yourself in the job, whether it’s your first or your tenth.

If you take advantage of an opportunity as it comes up, you might just be surprised where it takes you. It’s important to be your own worst critic and be honest with yourself about your capabilities, but it’s equally crucial not to put yourself down.

4. If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It

Men flaunt their accomplishments all the time. Then why shouldn’t women?

Unfortunately, many don’t want to come across as “too showy.” This might be a mistake on your part if this is what you are doing. Sometimes not flaunting what you have achieved will lead to not being where you want to be.

Women need to take more control in a lot of areas. This just happens to be one of them. Look at some of the profiles out there. Only a small percent of professional working women actually “showboat” what they have achieved.

That does not mean you should be egotistical or obnoxious about it. There is a fine line. What you should do is embrace what you have achieved instead of keeping it stocked away.

Take all you have accomplished with your first work experience and put it out there. In spite of what you may or may not have been taught before, numerous other employers will embrace this too. Just be truthful about what you have done. Sooner or later, it will work for you.

5. You’re Not Alone

Women can sometimes feel like they have to be an island unto themselves. Their ambition and determination set unrealistic expectations, which no human could possibly reach.

There are others who understand you perfectly and do the same, even some men. You just should give them a chance. Giving others an opportunity to help you out is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of internal strength.

It’s not just saying that you can’t do it alone. It’s also saying you don’t want to do it alone. Hold the bar high, but relinquish unrealistic expectations.

Some end up building up a wall after their first work experience. This happens especially if the experience was bad. Don’t let this happen to you. It will only lead to disaster.

Give your co-workers a chance to show that they support you and your work. The more positive feedback you get from others, the more likely you are to move forward successfully in your career.

Another thing you can get is a mentor. Some feel it’s an outdated concept. This is not true. Mentors are needed more than ever, especially for young minds. Young girls are the ones who are going to shape the professional world one day. A mentor can help shape where you go.

It’s best to get a female mentor as well, one who has been through the same ropes as you. She has likely made the same mistakes as you and has gone through the same hardships.

If she has been there, she can then tell you which traps to avoid. This support can also find the right fit for you. It’s crucial not to settle on the first job opportunity unless you know for sure that it’s the ideal place for you.

Asking for help is not proof of failure or defeat. It just means that you are not alone and that there are others willing to support you.

There are lots of reasons why women choose the path they do, professionally.  There are lots of reasons why they make these mistakes.

If we can somehow pinpoint them for you early on, even during and after your first job, it will give hope for a better future in your career. You have a bright future ahead of you, all of you, and you have to do is believe in yourself.

Amanda Wilks is a passionate writer with a great interest in everything related to career-building. She believes that people could reach all of their personal and professional endeavors through awareness, communication, and collaboration. You can follow her on Twitter at @AmandaWilks01

Image source: 1, 2

Women in India are getting out of their houses and making a mark for themselves. As opposed to the past, today women stand shoulder to shoulder to their male counterparts when it comes to career options and growth, and there are plenty of opportunities for them in all kinds of industries.

The modern Indian working women has actually graduated from being a housewife to an equal income earner. As the economy flourishes and traditions take a backseat, women have found avenues to leverage their creativity, passions and career goals.

Here are some of the top career options that women in India find attractive for various reasons.

1. Journalism / HR / Advertising / PR

Not to generalize, but women stand a better chance when it comes to jobs that require communication, multitask and nurture social and corporate relationships.

The number of Indian women in journalism has in fact outnumbered their male counterparts and this has also helped businesses reach out better to their audience.

2. Designing

True to trends across the globe, creative professions are definitely a woman’s cup of tea.

Of course, there are many talented men in this field, but the modern Indian woman now has more exposure to careers like fashion designing, jewelry designing, interior designing, graphic designing and similar creative faculties.

Many Indian women are starting their own clothes boutiques or freelancing to pursue their designing career goals.

3. Social Work / Counseling / HR

It’s a fact that, on average, women have better communication skills than men. With the benefit of these skills, women professionals are often better suited to jobs that involve an empathetic approach.

Whether it is an NGO or a psychology counselor, a woman professional is often preferred in fields that require empathy and interpersonal communication.

4. Medicine / Nursing

Nursing has always been a popular professional for women. In India, the growing acceptance for education of girls and women professionals has also led to them pursuing higher and more responsible positions in this domain.

Though the initial years may be filled with struggle, women in India can hope to strike a balance between their medical career and household responsibilities. The medical profession also gives women more stability and risk-free employment opportunities.

Careers in pharmacy and diagnostics have seen a steady uptick in women professionals, but we also have a large number of women doctors, surgeons and other professions that require specialized training.

5. Education

For a long time, education has probably been the first choice of career for the modern Indian women. To become a teacher is both a safe and respected profession.

Also, teaching kids is something that would be more acceptable in the still-traditional Indian community. Consequently, we are seeing a steady rise of women educators and education professionals in tutoring, curriculum designing, professorship and related fields.

6. Digital Marketing Head

While more companies are looking to create an online presence, there has been a steady rise in women employment in the digital marketing sector.

The inherent skill of patience and being able to cope with rather monotonous work has also made woman a more preferable choice when it comes to digital marketing.

Coupled with the fact that digital marketing can often be carried out as a remote working or work-at-home job, and it becomes even more attractive for women looking for that elusive work-life balance.

7. Air Hostess / Hospitality

Women are joining the hospitality field in growing numbers, as they inherently add an element of glamour to the job.

Further, the communication skills that most women seem to possess also help their roles as hospitality professionals, whether it an air hostess or a hotel receptionist.

8. Banking / Insurance

Banking and insurance is a booming sector for the Indian economy. The ideal candidates are expected to have good communication skills, customer handling skills and a basic knowledge of the industry.

The work in a bank is also respectable and also offers promising career growth. Through a variety of entrance examinations, women are opting to work in both public and private sector banks.

In fact, women like Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO of ICICI Bank, are being widely recognised for their role in shaping retail banking in India.

9. Public Relations / Marketing

Again, this is a job profile that requires excellent communication skills, an understanding of people, and the ability to multitask.

Women seem to find more opportunities in this field and are being hired in a variety of roles, ranging from a sales head to marketing managers.

These jobs also offer a basic fixed salary, another reason for women to pursue them, if only for the sake of security.

10. BPO / KPO / Customer Service

By nature, women are more understanding when it comes to hearing out grievances and guiding clients. BPOs and KPOs automatically prefer women to be at their customer service desks.

11. Entertainment

Another important employer for Indian women is the entertainment and glamour industry. From acting to modeling, anchors, cinematographers and stylists, women seem to find more opportunities than men.

12. Sports

Gone are the days when sports was the domain of men in India. Thanks to some very promising talent, women are also being encouraged to take up sports as a full time profession. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, Indian women were our saving grace, being the only ones to win medals for the Indian contingent.

PV Sindhu became the youngest Indian ever to win an Olympic medal, while female wrestler, Sakshi Malik, picked up a bronze, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.

13. Government Jobs

The only reason why government jobs still make it to this list is the advantage of stability and safety. While this is true for both men and women, a government job is still the most desired choice for many young people in India.

For women especially, it supports their goal of becoming an equal earner, allowing them to following their passion and earning respect in society.

While this list is not meant to generalize, women do seem to have an advantage in many of the above fields.

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The growing trend of pink autos – women driven auto rickshaw services in India – is facing both misogyny and support from men and women around the country. Pallavi Bhattacharya reports. 

It’s late at night. You’re returning home from work. The streets are almost empty. You hail the only auto rickshaw that you see on the streets.

The auto rickshaw driver slyly shifts his rear view mirror towards you. Despite, you requesting him not to smoke, he refuses to throw away his cigarette.

His breath smells of alcohol when he enquires in a rough voice, “Madam, what do you mean by coming home so late at night, or are you off to another party from here? Were you at a disc drinking? How do your husband and in-laws allow this? Or are you divorced? Did your parents not teach you any values? What kind of clothes are you wearing anyway?”

The regressive-minded and lecherous auto rickshaw driver, may be driving precariously through the streets and as there is no other transport in sight, you may be anxious as to whether you’ll be reaching home safely. He may be refusing to pull over.

If you’ve ever been in a situation like this, you must have wished that you could have been driven home by a woman driver. There are many male drivers who behave cordially with women passengers and always ferry them to safety, however there are also abusive drivers who may also put your safety at risk.

Auto rickshaws driven by women are already plying in Indore, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon.

In 2016, an announcement was made that women driven auto rickshaws would be introduced in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, the Thane District, the Palgarh District, Kalyan, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

548 auto rickshaw permits were issued for women drivers in Maharashtra, which included 465 from Mumbai. Five percent of auto permits in Maharashtra has been reserved for women.

Enduring Misogyny Towards Women Autorickshaw Drivers

Women drivers have had to face misogyny, and female auto drivers across the country have had to combat chauvinism. On asking what they thought about women driving autos, I met a handful of men and women, who passed snide remarks.

A woman whose thought process is laced with internalized misogyny commented, “How can women drive autos? Isn’t it after all a man’s job? Women aren’t good drivers. More so, driving in the sun will tan their skin.”

A woman who echoed her erroneous views remarked, “It seems a bit strange that women will drive auto rickshaws. Men, I believe, are endowed with more physical prowess and perhaps are more naturally equipped to take upon themselves such rough jobs such as bus and auto driving.”

A man, who seemed to feel insecure that women are taking up a profession which traditional India thought was only for men, said, “If women are passionately wanting to take up a man’s role, let men wear sarees like them and live at home, whereas women can roam about in shirt and trousers the whole night.”

A man who was similarly against women being on par with women on the professional front said, “Women joining the workforce is causing unhappiness in families. Working women are the causes of the rising divorce rate, more so if they take up unconventional careers like auto driving, which are meant for men.”

Another chauvinistic man with poor logical reasoning said, “Women are responsible for their own personal safety. They are to blame if they get attacked. So, this women’s driven auto system isn’t going to reduce crimes against women in any way.”

A man with a similar logical fallacy said, “I am vehemently against women auto rickshaw drivers being given safety alarms and self defense equipment during night shifts, as it’ll add fuel to fire to the misconception that no man can be trusted.”

Eshita Mandal, a psychologist from Mumbai, speaking on the bias women auto rickshaw drivers face says, “The moment people see a lady driver out there on the road, they invariably think that the traffic jam or an accident is because of her. When a woman is driving a plane, they wonder if it’ll reach the destination safely. Hats off to women auto rickshaw drivers who have all the courage to step into what was considered a man’s world before.”

Support For Women Autorickshaw Drivers

Most people I talked to, were happy that women would be seen behind the wheels in auto rickshaws.

Apala Bhattacharya, a writer in Mumbai says, “The introduction of auto service with women drivers will take care of two main issues: it’ll be conducive towards ensuring the safety of women commuters and will serve as a livelihood option for women who don’t have high level of education or a college degree. Often these women are engaged in manual labour which involves long and arduous hours of work with low pay. Driving an auto rickshaw will serve as a higher source of income and also flexible hours of work which will be helpful for them to take care of their families as well. This will also open a new avenue of work in a currently male dominated category of work and broaden the choices of women towards a means of livelihood.”

Puripriya Kundu, Guest Lecturer in a university in Kolkata, is yet to avail of this service in her city. Nevertheless she is excited about seeing women earning a living by driving auto rickshaws.

She says, “All genders- men, women and the transgender have the right to drive auto rickshaws. It’s patriarchal to prevent women from driving an auto rickshaw. Driving an auto rickshaw makes a woman her own boss, which is far better than bearing the servitude of many blue collared jobs that women who don’t have higher levels of education have to do. For instance rather than work as a domestic helper in homes, many women may feel that driving an auto rickshaw is a far empowering job.”

She feels that the quota for women drivers may help at the teething phase. Puripriya reasons, “Reservations may be good in the initial stage wherein women are trying to get a foothold in an otherwise male dominated profession.”

Whereas she feels that availing of an auto rickshaw driven by a woman will make travelling at night safe for women passengers, she is also concerned about the safety of the women drivers who ply vehicles at night.

She reasons, “It’s tough for women to restrict themselves to an early evening curfew as they may be having professional and personal commitments. If women have the opportunity to avail of auto rickshaws driven by women at night, then their lives will be less restricted. However the question here is, will women drivers who drive late at night be safe? I feel that women auto rickshaw drivers should form their own union, so that their problems are addressed through it.”

Anil Merani, a journalist and PR from Mumbai says regarding issues of safety of women driving auto rickshaws at night, “I quite welcome this service as I feel that women deserve equal opportunities in livelihood. Why deprive them in this regard? My only concern is whether women auto rickshaw drivers will be safe during late night shifts. Women drivers need to be provided means and mechanisms ensuring their safety if they decide to drive at night. Maybe, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) could test for two weeks if women auto rickshaw drivers are safe at night and make it into a norm if it’s found to be successful.”

Anil feels that women may be cautious while driving, “Thoughts that women cannot drive well were there in the past in India but things are changing now. I’ve often seen women drivers drive more safely than men.”

Many male auto rickshaw drivers I spoke to hailed the fact that more women will drive auto rickshaws. Bansidar Dube, an autowallah in Vasai, feels that women will make excellent auto rickshaw drivers.

He says, “Women have excelled as astronauts and pilots, auto driving is a piece of cake in comparison. Ladies have zoomed vehicles through the sky and space, so shouldn’t they be able to operate an automobile which runs on the ground well?”

He however expresses concern over the possibility that some women may not drive their own vehicles, “I’m very glad that women are being handed auto rickshaw permits. However I’ll be saddened if they rent out their vehicle to a male driver as it’ll completely defeat the purpose of this mission.”

Nitai Naskar, an auto rickshaw driver in Kolkata, is also in support of women earning a living through auto rickshaw driving. He says, “I think it’s a very good idea that auto rickshaws driven by women are being introduced in Mumbai. I’d be glad if the same is done in Kolkata as well. Women have just as much right to earn their living through auto rickshaw driving just as much as men do. I will not be upset if seats are reserved for women auto rickshaw drivers as they have the right to financial independence. I will never restrict any woman in the family from driving an auto rickshaw if they wish to.”

He is however worried about the problems that women drivers in a male dominated work sphere like this usually face. He observes, “I am however concerned about the fact that women auto rickshaw drivers may be eve teased, which is a chauvinistic means of trying to dissuade women from driving auto rickshaws. More male auto rickshaw drivers should come out in support of women driving auto rickshaws.”

An auto rickshaw driver who drives his vehicle in the outskirts of Mumbai, says on the request of anonymity, “Because of safety issues, a woman auto rickshaw driver was unable to continue drives to long distance destinations at night and now just plies her vehicle locally.”

Prospective Lady Auto Rickshaw Drivers Speak Up

Rupali Sutar, whose father drives an auto rickshaw, would also like to drive one. She, who has studied till Class 10, is now is a receptionist in a garment store in a mall. She has previously worked as a beautician in a beauty parlour and in the housekeeping department of a call centre.

She knows that driving an auto rickshaw is more earning than any of these professions, and people she knows are making Rs 1000 per day by driving an auto rickshaw. She is separated from her husband and has a small son. Her husband, according to her, doesn’t provide adequately for both of them. She wishes to earn well to ensure good education and a comfortable bringing up for her child.

She says, “To keep myself safe while driving at night, I plan to carry self defense equipment. I wish to work late at night as I want to help women who are travelling alone. My father owns two auto rickshaws, he drives one himself and has rented out another vehicle to someone else. I will drive the auto rickshaw which is now being rented out and thereby also be able to save the family expenditure which goes into paying the driver. My family is encouraging me greatly in this venture.”

One Woman Auto Rickshaw Driver’s Personal Experience

Anita Kudtarkar, the first woman auto rickshaw driver from Mumbai, interestingly hails from an orthodox village in Karnataka. Her father had a hotel and her mother was a homemaker. In her village school, there were classes for girls only till Class 10. The village’s norm was not to send their daughters out of the village for higher education as it was considered unsafe.

Anita was married off a year after she completed school. The family she married into wasn’t so well off. Her husband was engaged in fitting appliances. She would do various kinds of jobs including tailoring. Ultimately, she decided to drive an auto rickshaw.

Anita says, “Women can operate any type of vehicle. I decided that I’ll do something that no woman has done before in Mumbai, so I became an auto rickshaw driver.” An auto rickshaw cost Rs 85,000 in 2002. Anita didn’t have the money. Her friend who was a retired school principal lent her Rs 25,000. She took a bank loan of Rs 60,000.

Initially there was reluctance to teach her driving, as a misogynistic belief prevailed that women can’t drive well. Once Anita found a trainer she learned driving an auto rickshaw in just eight days. She however practiced on her own for another month before she started taking customers, as she was being cautious.

Male drivers raised eyebrows on seeing a lady with an auto rickshaw. A chauvinistic auto rickshaw driver threw her a challenge, “Women should cook and take care of their homes. Driving isn’t for women. Just ride your auto rickshaw up to 25 meters in front of me. If you can do so then I’ll give up my license.”

Anita not only completed that with élan but went on to drive for many kilometers. Anita told him, “Just look at how many miles I’ve really covered.” Forced to eat the humble pie, he sheepishly said, “Well, I was simply joking.” Anita retorted, “Please don’t joke about women in this manner ever again in your life time.”

When Anita started driving an auto rickshaw professionally, she faced further prejudice. “Initially some people were hesitant to board my vehicle as they had never seen a woman driving an auto rickshaw ever in their lifetime. They wondered if she had a valid license.” Gradually both genders boarded her automobile without inhibitions.

Anita noticed that women were especially comfortable to ride in her vehicle. She however imposed on herself a 7 pm curfew of driving an auto rickshaw. The reason was two-fold. She had to prepare supper for her family and attend to household chores. Second, she felt that it would be unsafe to drive at night as she wasn’t sure at to what kind of passengers would hike a ride.

Anita refutes those who claim that driving auto rickshaw is a rough sport for women saying, “Driving it may seem rough when you’re a novice but once you know how to drive the vehicle, it’s a lovely and smooth run.”

Anita brings to our notice that before the 5% reservation norm, women were hesitant of coming forward to drive an auto rickshaw. This was because as they didn’t see women drive one, they thought that it was just a man’s job or women weren’t permitted to drive one.

She further draws our attention to the fact that despite the fact that 50 women were previously given free training to drive an auto by the Mahanagar Palika in the Vasai – Virar region, not one of those women drove an auto rickshaw.

She’s happy regarding this reservation. Simultaneously she brings to our notice that this reservation is yet to fill up as many women are still not ready to do this job. She feels that the reservation quota may be expanded only after this reservation is completely filled up.

Women commuters across India are happy with this auto rickshaw service but are upset that there are just a few of them. We hope that the supply of women driven auto rickshaws is increased, to meet the increasing demand of the same.

Whereas women driven auto rickshaws are painted pink in other cities, they are to be painted orange in Maharashtra. Women auto rickshaw drivers in Maharashtra however are against their vehicles being painted in a colour which distinguishes their automobiles from those being driven by men.

An auto rickshaw driver said that the orange colour may incite stalkers to follow their vehicles at night, which will put both the driver and passengers in jeopardy. We can only hope that women come forward in large numbers to procure licenses to drive auto rickshaws; and that men make their work environment more comfortable.

Image source: Shashank Anand

Watch the video from MTV Sunsilk Angels of Rock featuring women auto drivers.

We marry with the hope that it will last till death do part. But, not all married couples go on to live happily ever after.

Earlier, more couples chose on to live in dysfunctional marriages, as they followed traditional norms to stay trapped in an unhappy marriage. Nowadays, when a marriage doesn’t work despite repeated trials, couples part their ways in the divorce court to start life anew.

Though divorce liberates a woman from a hopeless marriage, it is an unpleaseant experience for most. Some resort to self-destructive ways to grapple with it. Others have a mature way of coming to terms with it.

Having trouble coping with divorce? Pallavi Bhattacharya outlines ten tips for Indian women to deal with everything, from difficult ex-husbands to coping with divorce financially.

1. Dealing with your grief

If it is a divorce in which the husband has left his wife for another woman, it is but natural that the wife will feel angry, hurt and betrayed. A broken heart may be detrimental to health.

The woman may unduly feel low on confidence, thinking that she fell short and is less desirable than the woman her husband deserted her for.

Kakoli Banerjee (name changed), would mournfully confide in people, “I do know that my husband had an affair with another woman, because he was very angry with me for a reason which is yet not known to me. One day, out of the blue, my husband showed me the door and told me that I couldn’t use his surname anymore. Had I known how I had peeved him, maybe there would be some consolation, though I’d never get him back.”

In scenarios like this women need to know, that they’re neither undesirable nor at fault. Their husbands didn’t stay true to the wedding vow they took to be faithful to their wives.

Keeping tabs on the new love life of your husband will do more harm than good. Nor will having affairs or rushing into relationships with the sole purpose of showing your ex-husband that you’ve moved on help.

Melissa John (name changed) was resentful that her husband had chosen a much younger woman over her. She splurged her alimony on treatment at salons and pursued men of her son’s age. Most of them played with her feelings and hurt her emotionally.

Women who have initiated the divorce, as they were dissatisfied with the marriage for a very long time, may feel less sad that it had to end. They may embrace their newfound freedom.

The best way to deal with sorrow, post divorce, is to acknowledge it as a natural phase. Resorting to alcoholism, chain smoking and drugs thinking that it will numb your pain will simply bring about your ruin.

You may seek counselling if it’s too hard for you to handle. Some find solace in spiritual practices. Take the help of family and friends, who may lend you an empathetic ear and provide you a shoulder to cry on. Venting your anguish on social media is a bad idea.

2. Dealing with a difficult ex-husband

Whereas some husbands take the divorce maturely and gradually move on, some exes simply cannot come to terms with the fact that the marriage is over. They may end up stalking you.

Dimpi, an astrologer who currently lives in Delhi says, “I was earning very well as an astrologer, whereas my husband was a clerk at a bank. He would steal my jewels and cash. He’d beat me to get cheques signed so that he could acquire money. To him I was and still is a hen who can lay golden eggs. I had to pay him alimony, and am still paying him.”

She says that it was her husband who had wanted a divorce so that he could remarry. She narrates how insecure he was and even after divorce he would send paranoid messages to her professional clients, that she was physically interested in the men she did astrological predictions for.

She informs that her husband didn’t maturely part ways with her, “Post divorce, he would continue to forcefully stay over at her house.” She therefore changed houses a lot. She narrates, “I even shifted to a new city and set up a professional base out there. I purchased a land in this new place. He hunted me down in this new city.”

She goes on to narrate how perilous his stayovers are to her safety, “Family members request that he stay with me, especially when he is ill. On visits like these he beats me, breaks things and misbehaves with domestic helpers.” She says that the police was of no help to her.

She has blocked her husband’s number. She claims to have saved all the abusive messages that her ex-husband sent her. She says that he still comes over to her home and reigns havoc.

As the police is often apathetic towards domestic violence and stalking in India, though they are duty bound to register these cases, it’s better to visit the police station along with women’s rights activists of an NGO.

There are non-profit organisations which help victims of domestic violence and fight court cases for them.

3. Getting a good divorce lawyer

When children and sharing property are involved, and it’s a non-amicable divorce, it’s essential to hire a good divorce lawyer.

You may ask others who have gone through divorce for recommendations for efficient divorce lawyers. You may test the lawyers knowledge on divorce proceedings before hiring her/ him.

There are NGOs which can help you hire divorce lawyers at nominal costs. Poor women who don’t have these skills often end up in a separation that neither involves a proper divorce nor alimony.

Radharani Ghosh, who works as a household cook, narrates the ordeal she underwent, “As a legal divorce didn’t come through, I got no alimony. Nevertheless, my husband ‘remarried’.”

4. Warding off inquisitive queries and nasty comments

In India, when you are dealing with a personal issue, whether it is a death in your family or divorce, your phone will go on ringing relentlessly and so-called well wishers will troop in at your home unannounced with annoying questions.

No divorcee I interviewed has been immune to nasty jibes. This is indeed unfortunate as during this time a woman hopes that she’s given respite from intrusive inquiries and harsh comments. One would rather prefer empathy and compassion.

Dimpi says, “After my divorce, people often quizzed me as to how I had got a divorce despite being an astrologer. I found their so-called accusation totally baseless. It’s like expecting that a doctor can never fall ill.”

In a myopic Indian society which thinks that a woman is powerless without a man, she was irked with questions as to how she was managing everything all by herself, instead of people appreciating the fact that she was a strong and independent woman.

She elaborates, “Some would ask me as to how I was living on in Hindu society without a husband. Pandits would ask me as to how I was carrying out rituals without a man’s presence. Some would express surprise as to how I was applying a bindi despite being a divorced lady.”

Riya Chakraborty (name changed) was naturally peeved by the way her inquisitive colleagues reacted to her divorce. She says, “Though it should have been none of their business, they would discuss my divorce amongst them. They despite being educated and financially independent, had a regressive mindset when it came to accepting a divorced woman. They would pass comments like I was the person who was unable to adjust in a marriage, and as a result was incapable of enjoying a happy married life with kids.”

Fed up of the environment at work, she changed jobs. Though the work environment in the new school she teaches at is better, there is still an undercurrent of gossiping about her divorce.

She says, “There are women in my peer group who are divorced or separated. Yet, they backbite about me. They say that at least they have a child, but I am without one.”

5. Making new friends

Especially in a scenario where your old friends are more likely to hinder than help, you may need to make new friends. Visit places where you may meet people of common interests.

You may also be able to make friends at parties and professional networking events. Matchmaking apps like Truly Madly, Ok Cupid, Woo, Coffee Meets Bagel and Tinder are certain forums where you can make new friends and maybe even find a partner.

Making friends via apps, however, need to be approached with precaution. You may have to meet many weird people in the process, but may also make really nice friends. Take time to chat online before deciding to meet someone in person, and never divulge your address or personal details until you know someone well.

6. Developing new hobbies

Post-divorce, you have the chance to discover the talents within you. Indian women are often forced to suppress their talents while married. We hear countless stories of women being forced to give up careers or their hobbies after marriage.

If you’re a talented dancer who hasn’t been able to hit the stage ever since you got married, or an actor who has been compelled to stifle her acting skills, this is the time to nurture your talents again.

You can develop new hobbies as well. You could search Google to access the wide range of hobbies people around the world follow. If it’s a hobby which needs training, you can join a hobby training class near your residence.

Riya says, “Ever since I got separated, I started reading books and going on trips with my widowed mother. I never ever felt bored because I was single.”

You could also take up a cause close to your heart, if finances aren’t an issue. Kakoli’s son and daughter-in-law who earned very well were already providing for her. However, she made the wise decision to move out of her son’s home where her former husband also lived. In fact she changed cities.

A talented doctor, she started practising medicine again. She chose to relocate to a remote village of India where she could help patients who wouldn’t be able to avail of a good doctor. She charges them very nominally and states that she has found peace of mind since then.

7. Coping with divorce financially

Post-divorce, many women are financially free and already have savings. Divorce doesn’t throw them into financial crisis. Then there are women who have to get a job and earn for themselves as well as their children.

Radharani’s three daughters were merely toddlers when she and her husband parted ways.  She says, “My husband who was unemployed, didn’t financially help us after our family split. My mother said that I’d rather adjust and return to my matrimonial home. My parental family didn’t even spend a rupee on our wellbeing.”

Radharani took up professions which men are conventionally known to pursue in an attempt to become financially independent. She says, “I observed carpenters at work and picked up carpentry from them. I also started working as a building painter. In 2000, I relocated to Mumbai, as the pay scale here was higher compared to West Bengal.” She started working as a cook in households.

Depending on your expertise, you may find jobs which are financially rewarding, especially if you need to provide for your children as well. Not all jobs come with a high pay package though. In cases like these, you may take professional and academic training to upgrade yourself to a job which pays better.

Chalking out a monthly budget, helps one to allocate finances for various purposes and set aside funds for saving as well. The reason why most people cannot save is that they try to save after spending, instead of saving before making expenditures.

One can invest in shares provided one has expert knowledge of the share market, else one may run into serious losses. Avoid chit funds. Invest with reliable organisations instead. Get life insurance and opt for a good Mediclaim plan.

8. Handling the responsibility of being a single mother

Many women execute the duties of a single woman even while married. Others may be new to managing children single-handedly after a divorce.

Some ex-husbands are dutiful towards their children and send adequate money so that the kids can have a good upbringing and happy childhood. Not all husbands provide child support. Some may have zero or a negative influence in their children’s lives.

If your ex-husband is a threat to your kids’ saftety, with the help of a women’s organisation, you may issue a court order against him so that he maintains a distance from them.

Some women are in a situation wherein they get no family support in child raising. Whereas privileged women can afford crèches, underprivileged women may be in dire straits.

Radharani says, “I got no family support to raise my children. My landlady was the one who took care of my daughters when I was away at work. They have now grown up and are all married.”

9. Getting into a new relationship again

It is common knowledge that rebounds can bring immense harm to you. It’s best to take some time off relationships before exploring new relationship possibilities.

The most natural way of meeting a man is through parties, social gatherings and through work. Dating apps are a platform to find liberal men, though there are many traditional men there as well who will unmatch you immediately after getting to know that you are a divorcee.

Matrimonial websites are also channels to find a spouse. These websites are however losing out on popularity to the matchmaking apps, as open minded men who earn well, and wish to explore friendship before ascertaining marriage possibilities prefer apps.

You’ve  heard of the saying, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” The worst mistake that you can make is once again letting your heart take the lead over your brain in choosing a partner.

Radharani narrates how she was duped by her lover, “While in Mumbai, I’d get regular calls from a wrong number. We soon started talking regularly and I fell in love with him. He was separated from his wife. We started living together. One day I discovered that he had absconed with all my gold jewellery and Rs 2 lakhs in cash which I had kept at home. The police refused to register my complaint. I had a nervous breakdown and started taking medicines for anxiety. I once again had to start saving from scratch.”

10. Lack of physical intimacy

The transition from the double bed to a single bed is not an easy one. Some women don’t miss physical intimacy all that much. Others may feel sad and lonely that they can’t hug, kiss or make love.

Some women may be able to overcome the lacunae of physical intimacy by self stimulation and the use of sex toys. Others may opt for friends with benefits arrangements. When in an intimate relationship with a new man, always use protection (condoms) so that you are safe from STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

If you need help coping with divorce in India, we hope that the tips above will give you a guide to coping with divorce and enjoying life again.

If you’re looking for a good opportunity to be a franchise owner, you need to read this post. Our friends at FindMyWorkspace came up with a list of the most affordable franchise names you can consider.

Starting a business normally entails huge costs and a whole lot of planning especially if you are thinking of building your own brand.

For most working Indian women who have the resources, but not much time to plan and carve a brand from the ground up, franchising an already successful brand is a good recourse.

Franchising is the giving of license or authorization to individuals who want to do business using a certain established company or brand. The franchise is given with a fee, and it could be costly if it is a well-known brand.

However for those who are still starting out, there are a number of franchises that can be obtained with a tight budget but still guarantee a great chance of earning high revenues.

1. Tree House Play School

Franchise Fee: 5,00,000 to 10,00,000 INR

Tree House Play School is a playgroup and preschool education service known for its good standard of excellence. They provide a fun and conducive environment for kids to learn and play.

This is an excellent franchise for most married women who opt to stay at home, focus on the kids, while earning at the same time. This is also perfect for those who have the passion for teaching and are also great with kids.

Tree House Play School however requires their franchisees to have an area of at least 1,000 sq. ft. and preferably with an outdoor playground. The area could be a rented space or the franchisee’s own property.

As a franchisee, it is your responsibility to decorate and set-up the play school’s interior, but the staff from Tree House will assist you with the materials, decorations, and ideas or concepts for the design.

2. BrainCarve EduCare

Franchise Fee: 1,50,000 INR

BrainCarve EduCare provides a supplemental learning program that helps kids ages 4 to 16 enhance their concentration and memory skills, and develop the ability to use both parts of the brain.

They offer six programs namely Magic Fingers, Vedic Math, Memory Technique, Thinking Techniques, Abacus and Win in 60 Seconds.

Their franchise is however limited in the Karnataka area, but they provide training for those who are interested to obtain the franchise. This business is also a great way to earn from home and on a part-time basis.

3. Jawed Habib’s HairXpreso

Franchise Fee: 10,00,000 INR

If you’re interested in earning from the beauty industry, then you might want to open a salon under Jawed Habib’s name. Jawed Habib’s HairXpreso is a fast-growing business since 2009 and has currently 344 outlets around India.

HairXpreso enjoys popularity among the young because of its affordable haircut services. So the chance of earning good profits from this brand is really high.

The franchise fee also includes training and support for you in order to run the business well. Staff recruitment, marketing, and salon designing are also taken care of by the company.

Franchisees are however required to have an area of at least 100 sq. ft. and a minimum of 3 styling chairs to get started.

4. AutozSpa

Franchise Fee: 8,00,000 INR

If you are into cars and automobiles, then you might want to consider opening a car wash and repair shop like AutozSpa.

AutozSpa already have numerous branches in and outside India, and carries a reputable expertise in the car care industry.

They provide professional cleaning and car detailing services, promising to maintain a car’s classy, brand new showroom shine.

The company will provide financing assistance, staff support, training, business planning, and the machinery and chemicals to help franchisees get started.

5. Wings Bags

Franchise Fee: 10,00,000 INR

If you’d like to venture into the retail business, then you may want to consider Wings Bags.

Wings is a manufacturer of quality school bags, travel bags and laptop bags. Each bag goes through a tedious quality-check process to ensure that the product passes international standards.

Wings Bags offer two different types of franchise. For those who have the extra space, you can apply as a showroom partner wherein the bags can be displayed and sold.

The company also accepts distribution partners from many areas in India except Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Bangalore and Jharkhand.

The company will provide advertising and marketing support for franchisees to help jumpstart sales for the product.

6. Cafe Desire

Franchise Fee: 2,00,000 INR

If you want to earn without the hassle of managing a full-blown business, then you might like considering getting a vending machine business as a means to get passive income.

Cafe Desire is a fast-growing tea and coffee vending machine business that is open for franchisees, even at a home-based basis.

The vending machine can also be installed in shops, small or big offices, schools, and any other public place. As a franchisee, you just need to install and refill the beverage mixes regularly as needed.

7. Cafe Frespresso

Franchise Fee: 5,00,000 INR

If you really want to own a coffee shop, you can still get one at a minimum cost. Cafe Frespresso is a good business that provides food, great coffee and a nice ambiance for coffee lovers.

Cafe Frespresso already have several branches in India, Malaysia and Singapore. The company will provide training, business strategy planning, and numerous tools to help franchisees grow the business.

8. Felicita Foods

Franchise Fee: 9,00,000

Another franchise option from the food industry is Felicita Foods, a European-inspired restaurant that serves great European food such as Dutch Pancakes and Italian cuisine.

Franchisees have two options with Felicita Foods. One is a Kiosk franchise which needs an area of at least 80 to 150 sq. ft. The Kiosk will only serve a limited number of items, chosen from the most popular line of Felicita Foods.

The second option is the Concept Cafe Franchise which needs an area of at least 500 sq. ft. This Concept Cafe can offer customers with the full menu plus a good restaurant ambiance.

The company provides on-site support, planning and marketing assistance for franchisees as well.

9. Monginis Cake Shop

Franchise Fee: 10,00,000 INR

If you’re more into desserts, then Monginis Cake Shop is a good franchise to consider. This Mumbai-based cake shop had been around since the 1960s and is still a strong bakery brand in India.

There’s a high chance of earning good profits from this brand as they are popularly known for its delicious cakes and pastries.

The products are however baked from Monginis own headquarters, and it will only be shipped to different franchisees and distributors around India.

10. InXpress

Franchise Fee: 2,50,000 INR

InXpress is an authorized partner of DHL, an international courier service provider. The company aims to provide personalized customer service and reliable shipping solutions for clients all over India.

Being a franchisee of InXpress will give you access to its integrated logistics system of worldwide parcel delivery and express transportation services. Franchisees don’t need to have a warehouse or inventory to get started, the company can provide for that along with training and support.

The success of a franchise business does not solely depend on the current brand power of the partner company, but it would also depend on the proper planning, location and overall management of the business.

Franchisees are also required to be at least enthusiastic about the chosen industry, and preferably good with customer relations and service in order to gain good business traction.

Author Bio:

Gemma Reeves is a seasoned writer who enjoys creating helpful articles and interesting stories. She has worked with several clients across different industries such as advertising, online marketing, technology, healthcare, family matters, and more. She is also an aspiring entrepreneur who is engaged in assisting other aspiring entrepreneurs in finding the best office space for their business.  Check out her company at FindMyWorkspace.

Sometimes saying yes to every tough assignment may seem like the best thing to do.

You work an 18-hour day job, you say yes to that new project that means yes to that promotion, and yes to more responsibilities. Not to mention that the fear of losing the job prevents you from saying no to new projects and more work.

But what is the outcome? More stress related illnesses, exhaustion, and depression. Remember your manager will not change but you are.

Sometimes you may not have a choice, but if you do, how do you say no to the opportunity in a polite way such that it doesn’t sound offensive to the person offering it?

The question of where to say “No” at work should be a serious matter and you must consider it carefully. Much depends on the line of work.

But when that time comes, how do you avoid being regarded as “difficult to work with?” Here are some reasons to say no to work in a polite way and how it will be helpful to you.

When Is It Ok To Say ‘No’ At Work

• When it hinders you from pursuing your interests

We all have something that we would want to pursue in future. But to accomplish this, some may opt to stick to a job first until they are ready to move to the next stage.

If you fall in this category, there are times you need to say ‘no’ to work when your boss assigns a task that does not fall under your job description. You can delegate the task to another person who is more qualified.

This earns you more respect. If you are not being compensated fully for the task and you feel that the task will take away time from pursuing what you want, a polite ‘no’ will show that you are committed and value your time.

• When it hinders your ability to accomplish short-term and long-term goals

To achieve success, you need to prioritize and pay more attention to tasks that need more attention and yield much more. Keeping a list of short-term and long-term priorities and trying to fit all your tasks in each one of them.

If a task does not fit in any one of them, reject it and be straight that you cannot work on that project. Give a brief explanation that the task doesn’t match your current priorities and sometimes you can suggest an alternative. At the end, be focused and accomplish what you have set.

• When it doesn’t propel you towards your goal

You can say no to a job or project that does not propel you to accomplish your key goals.

The reason why people do any job they come across and put all their effort in it is the thought that one day they will land that promotion, partnership or a huge cross-functional project.

At the end, you have limited time and resources, and you need to make the best out of this project. At that same time, you receive a new proposal that may be a distraction. What do you do?

The best thing to do is to go through it then politely explain that you are currently working on another, so you might not give the required attention to this one. Being honest will show you are committed to what you are working on.

• When you are not happy with the decision

If you find yourself questioning why you are making time for a certain project, you should rethink your decision and evaluate if you are in for it for the love of it or for the sake of being there. You should push on or raise your opinion on processes that you disagree with.

You don’t have to agree with every decision that is made if it is not satisfactory, always get the courage to question your choices and seek clarification when something is not clear.

Having the right answers will allow you to make a decision before accepting the project and realize the amount of time and effort needed to complete the task.

How Saying ‘No’ is Helpful to You

• Allows you to live up to your commitments

If you cannot compose yourself to say no, you have little time to devote to greater activities.

Some of us believe that they are efficient with time but the reality is that you need to focus your time and effort on your commitments to achieve maximum results.

You will find more comfort and satisfaction in your commitments if you are able to devote enough time to fewer tasks that grow you as a person.

• Enables you to pursue other opportunities that arise

It requires a lot of gumption to turn down a task or job. In the beginning, it may be hard since you don’t know if you will land another project or client to close another deal. But every one of us at some point may say no to different tasks.

Some can do this by sending signals of being committed to something else or overstretched in a certain assignment. But having the ability to say no allows you to open up to new opportunities and enable you to exercise what you know fully.

• Allows you to be the best at what you do

If you learn to say no to things that do not match your interest and yes to tasks that you have a true passion, you will have great drive and motivation to perform the roles you really love doing.

The more effort and time you dedicated to what you are passionate about, the more you become innovative, productive and successful in your endeavors. At the end of the day, it’s about making knowing when to say yes and no to a job or project.

• Enables you to choose clients selectively

Sometimes you can get a client who is difficult to deal with especially they hail all sort of complaints on different things. It can be a distraction to you and you end up not delivering your best on the project.

Difficult clients are a nightmare and sometimes they may push you so hard to your limit such that you become emotionally drained. They take much time, energy and resources.

When you first meet a client, look for red flags. If you sense that they may be difficult to handle or the nature of the project may be beyond what you can handle, don’t be afraid to say no and recommend the client to someone else. This will save you time and resources.

• You live a healthier and more satisfactory life

Doing a lot of work can make you depressed and can lead to stress-related illnesses.

Having the ability to say no when you don’t agree with a certain project will give you the freedom to say yes to opportunities that are within your passion, strength, and talent.

People who realize this have a greater satisfaction and more time to exercise and live a healthier and more satisfactory life.

Saying no at work is a hard decision to make, but sometimes you need to develop the skill to say no politely. You want to sound good at it so practice earlier.

Remember you don’t want to be seen as “not a team player” or being described as difficult or lazy. These tips will help you get through the process of saying ‘no’ and reap the benefits of making such a decision. Try them out.

Author bio:

Eva Wislow is a blogger and career coach at CareersBooster resume writing services. She is on a mission to help people find their true calling. Eva finds her inspiration in writing and peace of mind through yoga.

The legendary actress, Marilyn Monroe, once said, “Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition.” Today, women have not only proved they are equal to men but have also excelled in every male-dominated field possible.

It’s no different for the startup world! Women have started businesses, getting a huge payoff and soaring to new heights. In light of this, let us look at three things women entrepreneurs must do well to ensure they succeed in the startup world.

1. Do the Math

Women may have a qualitative outlook on things, which is a good thing, but overlooking of the quantitative details may need improvement. Women must remind themselves that data, numbers and analysis are important in refining and improving business strategies.

Different elements of any business must be tested. It is important to leverage the internal data and translate them into business success. Analysis, facts, and figures (data) bring out a huge wealth of valuable insights which result in tangible outcomes.

Three ways to manage relevant data

• Compile
• Analyze
• Communicate

Women or anyone involved in business must first understand the nature and scope of the business to explore the different areas of that venture. Then, you must make sure to make continuous improvements and innovations in it.

Women must make sure to get their statistics right so they keep can track their growth or regrowth and set the right business expectations.

You must not neglect market-related or customer-related data and statistics. This is important to know where a particular business service or product stands in the market.

Next, you must never overlook data on competition and what they offer. This will help you set prices competitively, create marketing strategies, take advantage of the competitor’s weakness and improve your business performance.

The target audience needs to be targeted based on the customer needs and insights, again bringing to mind the importance of doing the math and studying the stats and making business plans accordingly.

You cannot afford to ignore data. It is important to get the numbers right and concentrate on projections and inferences as this will help to measure growth and give a better focus on your business.

2. Dream Big

In general, women are content with success in little things like doing a home-based job well or setting up a business on a small scale whereas men may seem to conquer the world. As a woman, sometimes you need to just go with your gut. It could mean taking a step with a leap of faith.

If a woman wants to succeed in what is predominantly perceived as a man’s world, she needs to raise the stakes and play it big! It is important to take up the leadership role by presenting decisiveness and confidence.

Sometimes the decisions may not be 100 percent effective but it is required to take such risky steps for the business. However, there is a limit to risk-taking.

To name a few types of risks relevant to startups, you have product risks, market risks, calculative risks, team risks and execution of strategy risks. This must not stop you from taking any substantial steps.

If and when disaster strikes, a disciplined way to identify and mitigate the risk will help to meet the odds. This will increase the likelihood of success. Thus, the key is to venture out, evaluating risks involved, and not being afraid to pivot.

3. Be Your Authentic Self

“By choosing to be our most authentic and loving self, we leave a trail of magic everywhere we go.”- Emmanuel.

Never forget that women bring unique qualities and strengths to their workplaces and professions. You must never try to emulate men you see as peers or your competition.

Being you, fearlessly, is one of the key elements women need to achieve success.

Women must focus on being a powerful influence and impact to the lives around. You must simply embrace the woman you are – authentic and unique.

There will be times of crisis when you will look inward and question your confidence and your decisions when you will feel inferior (to those around) or insufficient in yourself.

Doubts creeps in. Yet, during these times, you need to remove the mask and be your authentic self and focus on your goals.

In a world that is changing but still is male dominated at many levels, women must focus on utilizing their strengths, especially in those areas where women in general have an advantage over men – negotiation skills, communication, presentation skills and so on.

Six techniques to be you:

• Remove the expectation mask which is put on to impress people around.
• Be fearless, converting your fears into areas of growth.
• Follow your intuition and listen to your inner voice.
• Avoid imitation and create your own ideas.
• Pay attention and observe every moment.
• Express every move with confidence.

Women must not follow others but create their own path.

Every person is born different and so, each one has his or her own story. Women must be courageous enough to make their own story.

A woman’s perseverance and unique talents can make her a force to reckon with in the world of business.

So, the message to every woman out there is this: Dream Big, set out to achieve your dream, believe in yourself, be yourself, play it big, play it right and never give up!

Author Bio:

Being a writer at Topaussie review, Alice Clarke has an experience in a startup world. You may find her on Facebook.     

Swati Bhargava is the Co-founder of CashKaro.com, India’s Largest Cashback and Coupons site. CashKaro is backed by the honorable Mr Ratan Tata and by Venture Capital firm, Kalaari Capital.

Along with her husband and Co-founder Rohan Bhargava, Swati has built CashKaro to become India’s largest Cashback site. The couple launched CashKaro.com in April 2013 and pioneered the concept of cashback in India.

Swati is an alumnus of the London School of Economics (LSE) and has worked at Goldman Sachs London within the Investment Banking division and at the Executive Office for 5 years before starting her entrepreneurial journey.

She represented India at the coveted Blackbox Connect – Female Founders Edition 2015 – powered by Google for Entrepreneurs program from April 27 – May 8, 2015 in Silicon Valley, California.

Swati was awarded at the India’s first Digital Women Award for category- Best Service Offering Company in the E-commerce Industry and recognized as one of the top 10 women entrepreneurs by Iamwire.com. She was also honored amongst 4 women trailblazers in Indian ecommerce industry by Economic Times

Swati is an active speaker at many high profile events such Ad:tech, TEDx, TieCON, Economic Times Conferences among others. Along with her husband, Swati has positioned CashKaro as the fastest Cashback site in India with 500% growth over last year.

Naaree.com caught up with Swati to find out the secrets to her success, and her tips to help other women entrepreneurs succeed in their ventures.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? Did you always love it or was it something you got into?

My biggest inspiration has been my husband & Co-Founder of CashKaro.com, Rohan. Since I was comfortably working at Goldman Sachs London there were no initial plans to go the entrepreneurial way but I always wanted to do something of my own! There were thoughts turning into ideas and ideas taking the form of functional plans.

Finally, Rohan & I decided to quit our jobs and put all our energy into our Cashback business idea. We conducted thorough research in the field of Cashback as we saw a lot of potential in that area. That is how, with a lot of hard work and a little luck, we started Pouring Pounds in UK in 2011.

While the business was booming in UK, we realized that the E-commerce industry was thriving in India as well. It seemed like the perfect time to introduce the Cashback concept in India. So, in 2013, we decided to enter the Indian market and thus, CashKaro was born!

When do you know that it is no longer just an idea in your mind, and that you can really turn it into a lucrative business?

For a growing E-commerce market like India, the potential for Cashback sites was huge. The biggest take away has been that people are always inclined towards SAVINGS and GREAT BARGAINS.

Over the years, online shoppers have really grown smarter and 80-85% of them typically look for discount coupons & cashback offers before making a purchase. This paradigm shift in consumer behavior gave a kind of an assurance to our business idea.

We were convinced that online shopping, when supplemented with accessibility to products and best deals across categories, will certainly define Indian shopping in the near future.

Lastly, the burgeoning Indian e-commerce industry is projected to reach $100 billion by 2020. It is believed that Affiliate marketing will account for about 20% of these sales, making the market size for CashKaro about $20 billion. More and more E-commerce companies are banking on the affiliate marketing model to lower their cost of customer acquisition.

So, when you see that the numbers are in your favor and people are enthused about the idea of associating with you, you just know that you are setting up for greatness and that it’s not just an idea anymore.

What learning lessons can you share from your startup experience?

Firstly, Perseverance is of the essence. Entrepreneurship is not a walk in the park. You are going to face disappointments.

What matters is that you never give up. You have to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and just keep going. We may not realize this in the moment, but everything actually does happen for the best.

Secondly, put your heart and soul into hiring. Even if it takes longer than you would have expected, wait for the right people to come along. Hire top notch talent who are expert in their roles and get an unflinchingly strong team together.

Finally, Agility is the key. The digital market is incredibly fast paced and you have to be equally agile in order to keep up with the trade. You have to be on your toes constantly and create a robust and active system.

What are some challenges that you faced initially when you started out? Do you have some examples to share and advice to women entrepreneurs on overcoming them?

Whenever you decide to delve into something novel, especially a new business model, there are bound to be certain challenges, whether you’re a man or a woman. So yes, we did face some challenges initially. Although there were no real deal breakers, these were the main issues we had to overcome:

Hiring the right people. It’s the biggest challenge a startup faces. There is a dire need to find people with the same passion and zeal that you possess. If they lack the drive you have, then they don’t fit into your idea. You need to know how to recognize good talent and then retain it by all means.

Educating our users and retailers about the concept of Cashback and affiliate marketing. People needed to understand why they should put their faith in the company. Again, being a novel idea, there was a lack of knowledge about it in India.

Establishing the fact that as a woman, I could strike a balance between family and work. That could only be proven through sheer persistence and hard work. At the end of the day, it showed in our unit metrics and the challenge became redundant altogether.

The lack of seed funding in India. The investors here will only make a significant investment once your company has started making money. This makes acquiring seed money a hurdle for startups.

What are all the things that a woman entrepreneur needs to keep in mind? i.e. apart from your great idea, what do you need to be armed with?

People have this stereotype embedded in their minds that women lack knowledge when it comes to technology. Consequently, they think women won’t be able to stick it out in a career revolving around technology.

So, we need to arm ourselves with complete technical know how about the area we’re working in and everything related to it. We need to play to our strengths and emerge victorious in the uphill battle that entrepreneurship is.

Do women entrepreneurs find it tougher to get funding for businesses? If yes, why do you think that is?

Honestly, yes they do. This is again related to the fact that investors think a woman won’t be able to balance work and family life. Or, they might not have enough knowledge or perseverance to last in the market.

In these cases, you need to stand your ground and have complete confidence in your idea. Speak out confidently about the idea and people will begin to trust it as much as you do.

Is it beneficial to have a mentor when you’re starting out on your own? What does a mentor bring to the table?

Yes, it is always beneficial to have a mentor by your side especially during the commencement of your business. A mentor plays a huge role in introducing you to the challenges you will face as an entrepreneur.

He can help you connect with the right people that belong to his current network. He can help you learn from his experiences so you can sidestep the mistakes that he made when he started out.

In my case it was Paytm’s co-founder, Vijay Shekhar Sharma. I will always value everything he did for me.

How did you recruit your first team? How difficult was it to get people on board during the initial stages?

As I mentioned before, hiring is one of the biggest challenges a new entrepreneur can face. For almost two years, I did all the interviewing myself as I had to ensure the right people were joining the company.

Only recently did we bring an HR on board. We took the generic routes like portals and agencies to find people but we made sure that each person we hired shared the passion and zeal we had. We couldn’t accept anything less than that.

What would you describe as your biggest moments of success in your business?

As is the journey of any start-up, a lot of small events turn into moments of success.  However, funding from Mr. Ratan Tata has probably been the most heartening moment up until now.

In November 2015, we also raised Rs 25 crore in a Series A funding round led by Kalaari Capital, one of the biggest venture capitalist firms.

So we can see that we’re headed in the right direction and with the same zeal and fervour, will continue to tread on this extremely worthwhile path we’ve created for ourselves.

Ever since I can remember being a part of this world, I have always been reminded repeatedly that I was born a girl.

“A girl shouldn’t sit like that” my 3^rd grade teacher once told me, before proceeding on to demonstrate how a straight back with crossed legs was the ‘lady-like’ way to sit.

I never noticed any teacher telling a boy how to sit or to not be loud, whereas girls were policed about how they should talk, be non-disruptive and behave like ‘ladies’ in general.

As I grew up and feminism rescued me from a very dangerous thought process, I realised the fact that everything a girl does is seen as explicit by the society (a society that we contribute to, by the way).

We have been systematically taught that it is shameful to be a girl. Everything should happen behind closed doors and yet is secretly lusted after anyway in public. Naturally it escalates into full-blown misogyny towards even the most natural of things, like menstruation.

God forbid a tampon falls out of our bag in a metro or we carry Pads without the black polythene the shopkeeper so kindly offers. All this is necessary, believe me, or otherwise the world might just find out that half of its population bleeds every 28 days.

The shame and stigma that we associate with Periods (yes I said the word) is blatantly obvious in the euphemisms we use, ‘chumming’, ‘on the rag’, ‘I’m down’.. a few of at least 5,000 such slang words that we chose to use instead of just calling them periods.

And let’s not even touch upon the subject of period taboos, a whole thesis on how a woman is impure and what she should or should not do during her cycle. And all of this dictated by a handful of people, who sit hiding behind the veil of privilege and ‘good sense’.

Just when we think there is no end to this regressive mindset, we have non-profits and activists actively propagating women’s safety, rights and sanitation (while also restoring our faith into humanity).

There have been age-old movements and rebellions that have successfully enabled the world to move on from the times when women weren’t even allowed to vote or have a voice.

One such modern-day initiative, “#Letstalkperiod – Gift a Menstrual Cup”, is challenging the very ground of ignorance for menstrual health.

Created by Woman Endangered and Stone Soup, it challenges period taboos and superstitions while addressing the issue of human health crisis that stems from repeated use of commercial pads or tampons over decades. It does this by distributing menstrual cups free-of-cost.

Why Menstrual Cups?

Studies have found that a woman uses a pad or a tampon for more than 100,000 hours in a lifetime. And that’s just the minimum estimate!

Yet we don’t talk about the chemical residue these products leave on the vaginal walls which can cause serious diseases such as cancer.

India accounts for 27 percent of deaths caused by cervical cancer, which is twice the global average. And the study links the cause partly to poor menstrual hygiene.

Amidst all of this, menstrual cups provide a safer, eco-friendly and economical option for women all over. It simply holds the period fluid, which can be emptied, and cup can be reused again.

The medical grade silicone used to make these cups, is infection-free and does not irritate the vaginal walls or pose any health risk by leaving residue.

After a one-time cost, it can be washed and reused for up to 10 years. Since, a single cup lasts that long, it greatly reduces the amount of menstrual waste generated to be disposed-off.

Benefits Of Using A Menstrual Cup

• Made from medical grade silicone which reduces risk of infection since it is also anti-bacterial – a quality otherwise not seen in other materials.
• It is bell-shaped and does not irritate the vaginal walls, as it is adjustable and easy to insert/remove.
• Simply holds period fluid and can be washed to be reused 2 to 3 times a day and is easy to store.
• Lasts from 8 to 10 years and reduces the hassle of disposing of used menstrual materials
• Reduces the burden on environment by reducing waste generation.

Menstruation health issues are probably the most stigmatized and ignored topic, even in the 21^st Century. And this is exactly what the #LetsTalkPeriod campaign aims to destroy.

The agenda is simple:

• Provide a sustainable menstrual alternative to pads and tampons which is a silicone menstrual cup
• Distribute these medical grade silicone cups free-of-cost to the most marginalized sections of women
• Address the ignorance and stigma around periods which has forced women to suffer in silence for years.

Joining hands with the crowdfunding platform DesiredWings.com, WE and Stone Soup have launched a crowdfunding campaign that aims to raise enough funds to organize a free-of-cost distribution of menstrual cups in Azadpur in New Delhi.

Aiming to distribute 1000 cups to 1000 women or even more, they want to target this health, environment and mental crisis at the grass root level.

In a time where period blood is still depicted as a ‘blue liquid’ gently splashed upon fluffy pads and any close-to-reality depiction is deemed inappropriate (not a family dinner conversation apparently), we need to stand up for menstrual health.

It’s time each of us contribute to the Gift A Menstrual Cup – Let’s Talk Period campaign, and destroy a few stereotypes ourselves!

About the Author:

A feminist at heart, Tarushi Varma believes change starts with just one person. So, raise your voice, stand up for yourself because you have it in you to make the world a better place.

For women at work, striking the right balance between pushing your career forward while raising a family is a popular struggle. The dream of “having it all” is one that many women strive for, but the reality is much more difficult to grasp.

Just when you think one part of your life is under control, another part of it falls to pieces, and you’re left feeling like you are constantly juggling too many tasks.

One minute your career is going great and you are spending plenty of quality time with your kids, but then your health suffers as a result.

Or you might feel like mother of the year by taking your kids to all their extra-curricular activities, but then your work starts to suffer because you are distracted by your home life.

For mothers who also want to work, this struggle is all too real, but it doesn’t have to be this way. By achieving and maintaining a good work-life balance, you can keep everyone in your life happy while fulfilling all of your own goals.

1. Learn To Work Smarter

The simplest way to free up more hours in the day and put an end to late nights in the office is to learn how to work smarter rather than longer.

Take some time to identify areas that could be more efficient in your working day. This can involve anything from cutting down your time spent on email to outsourcing some of the more time-consuming tasks that you have to do on a daily basis.

You will have to prioritise your workload and ensure that tasks are completed within a set duration – this means you will stop letting tasks drag on for longer than necessary.

Another way to work smarter is to accept that finishing a task in enough, and not everything has to be perfect.

If you are the kind of person to stress about formatting things in a certain way, or combing over your work looking for errors, it might be time to try being less of a perfectionist.

While some tasks will require a little extra attention, there are also some tasks that are sufficient when finished.

2. Set Aside Time For Yourself

This might seem counterintuitive, but setting aside time for yourself in your busy life is the best way to ensure you don’t burnout.

This can be as simple as making time to attend your favourite fitness class with a friend. It’s important that this is treated as a priority, one that cannot be cancelled, pushed back, or set aside.

You owe it to yourself to ensure your mind and body are in good shape, and putting aside time for yourself is the best way to achieve this.

You can’t be a caring mother and a successful business person without keeping yourself healthy and mentally strong.

3. Learn To Say ‘No’

It’s a common myth that you have to always be available in order to excel in a professional environment. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

In reality, always saying yes to the extra work will mean your work suffers, and you could soon be known as the office pushover.

Learning to say no to extra work will show that you have a realistic view about how valuable your work is, and will prevent you from getting snowed under with extra requests.

Obviously, you can’t just start saying no to everything, but you should start holding out for the opportunities that can actually help your career.

4. Get Your Partner Involved

Unless you are a single mother, then you aren’t raising your children alone, and your partner should respect this.

Getting your partner involved shouldn’t be limited to things like sharing the housework in the evening. Your partner should help with everything from the school run to taking time off work when your children are sick.

Companies are starting to come around to the idea that parental responsibilities are best shared between both parents, so this should be met with a more understanding tone from your partner’s employer.

Split all parenting tasks down the middle and you will be surprised how much time this frees up, not only for your work, but to spend more quality time with your family, friends and partner.

5. Request Flexible Working

Flexible working can take on a variety of different forms, from shifting your hours to work around the school run, to working from home a few days a week so you can help with childcare duties.

Working from home can be a huge help for parents as you will save so much time by not committing to the office. Being able to work from home at short notice is also ideal if you have to deal with a sick child, as you might have to take a vacation day or a sick day to care for them.

Flexible working is on its way to becoming a standard right for all workers, and the process should soon be much easier to navigate. Employers are starting to wake up to the idea that keeping their employees happy means they will be much more productive.

The idea of flexible working is that you are able to establish a flexible working schedule that allows you to fulfill all of your work duties while also being able to take care of your family at home.

6. Don’t Be Afraid To Hire Help

A lot of women fear hiring someone to help them with things around the home as they worry that it will make them seem like they cannot manage a household.

You need to silence your inner critic and remember that no one needs to know if you’ve hired a cleaner or if you have help with childcare during the week. There’s nothing wrong with saving yourself some time by getting some help around the home.

This could be anything from hiring a weekly cleaner to help keep on top of the ironing, or even signing up to a meal delivery service so you don’t have to worry about putting a healthy and nutritious meal on the table every night.

You can hire people to help you with everything from walking your dog to filing your taxes, so there’s nothing wrong with picking one household chore that you hate doing and then outsourcing it.

7. Try A Different Career

If your current career choice doesn’t create the right work-life balance, then it might be time to consider a new career.

There are so many careers that will allow you to have a good work-life balance, so it might be that all you need to do is train in a different area. Teaching is a good option, as you will have a similar schedule to your children, meaning that you will always be at home when they have vacations.

You could also foster a child, as this will allow you to combine your parenting expertise in an altruistic role. You could also consider starting your own business, as this will allow you to have complete flexibility and to set your own schedule.

However, a word of warning, the early stages of starting a business will likely be very time consuming, so this might not be a quick fix but more a long-term option to allow you to take control of your own life.

Author bio:

Ryan Duffy is a freelance writer who is a recent university graduate in Media Studies. His passion for people and writing has encouraged him to pursue this career full-time. Writing on behalf of Lorimer Fostering, he enjoys writing about lifestyle topics and this is where most of his work has taken him.

Getting a job is more than just about a perfect cover letter, a well drafted resume and the right references. Although all of these are indispensable, there’s more to professional success in terms of attitude, thoughts and behavior.

Soft skills are important because they decide the nature of your success in the professional arena, and also whether it is going to be a temporary phenomenon, or a permanent pattern.

This post talks about some of the important soft skills that you should inculcate and hone, in order to deal better with daily situations at your workplace and enhance your professional life.

Most recruiters today want employees that are not only good at what they do, but also have a positive influence over their environment.

A person who is good at communicating with teams, who knows how to walk the talk, and who can contribute to the company’s bottom line in a holistic manner is more valuable than a talented individual who just likes to do her work, keeps to herself and treats work like a daily chore.

Obviously, academic credentials matter, and they do matter a lot. But if you think being a nerd will take you to the top, that’s wishful thinking.

Why Are Soft Skills Important?

The first test of your behavioral skills is the first face-to-face contact with the recruiter, i.e. the personal interview.

The moment you enter the door for an interview, you are being judged by the experienced eyes of the recruiter. There are a lot of subtle factors that contribute to their final perception about you.

What you communicate through words is only half the information that the recruiter uses to process your application. The other half part is communicated through your body language, the gestures, behavior and attitude.

According to Bibi Caspari, a soft skills curriculum instructor, “Words are only seven percent of the message. How we use our voices to say the words creates 38% of the impact. And while it is hard to believe, a whopping 55% of impact is the visual impression.”

But how do soft skills help?  When you apply for a job, wanting it is only the first step. If, through your behavior, and attitude, you are able to convince the interviewer that this is something you are truly excited about, then you are ahead of the competition.

Learning soft skills help you develop thoughts that affect your emotions in a positive manner, which in turn, affect your behavior and attitude and allow it to become more conducive to success.

Having discussed their importance, here are 5 soft skills employers seek in a candidate. These are the very skills that will help you get hired and help you succeed in your job.

1. Public Speaking

“If you can speak, you can influence. If you can influence, you can change lives”. ~ Rob Brown

If there’s one common trait amongst the most successful persons in the world, it’s their ability to communicate their ideas clearly. The ability to speak such that others are compelled to give you their attention is one of the most treasured skills you can have.

However, not everyone is a gifted speaker, and that is perfectly normal. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.”

So, don’t worry if you find yourself short of words, nervous while speaking to a crowd, or even with strangers. It’s only with time and practice that you’ll learn the power to influence others with your speech, dialogue, and words.

The easiest way to get going is talking with one stranger every day. Even greeting them with a simple, “Good morning,” “Have a nice day”, with a smile, can lead to the development of confidence, which is the key to making good speeches, and persuading others.

Another way to learn public speaking skills is to join the local chapter of an organisation like Toastmasters International, that provides a “supportive learn-by-doing environment that allows you to achieve your goals at your own pace.”

2. Networking

The corollary of the ability to speak at opportune moments is the ability to make new connections, business or personal. This ability has a term associated with it –  networking.

It’s more contemporary avatar is social networking, especially in the context of the digital domain, as a major part of our communication is happening over the web or mobile.

Networking is an intensely powerful tool that can help you go places, and without which professional success will remain elusive.

The most successful person of our times, a person who feeds the imaginations of many young minds, founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, got his big break through networking with Sean Parker, and Paypal founder Peter Thiel.

Had it not been for his networking skills, we would not have had Facebook, the Big Daddy of all social networks. The incentive of being a good networker is the ability to use the energy and resources of others, instead of just your own to fuel your dreams.

3. Resilience

The ability to take negative feedback and failure in your stride, will help you go a long way.

Those who do not allow setbacks to slow them down and remain buoyant, in spite of all the negativity surrounding them, are a special breed of humans and any employer would treasure such employees.

If, through any example you could suggest situations where you showed resilience, it would help you create a far better impression with your interviewer.  Setbacks are a part and parcel of this life. What’s important is how you respond to them.

Hope and despair go hand in hand, and we all have the power to not let the latter overcome us.  Being honest with yourself, identifying the problem, and working steadily towards creating a solution is the best recourse.

4. Acceptance

Being accepting of others differences, or being more tolerant to the points of view others is an important life skill that ensures, at the very least, that you are a good team player at work.

Unless you are tolerant and accepting of the opinions of others, collaborating with others across different projects would not only be hard but also impossible.

Be someone who celebrates differences as uniqueness of opinions and not as dissent. Teams that work well despite differences are the ones that remain at the front of the pack.

5. Time Management

A lot has been said about the value of time and its importance in one’s life. However, the majority of us lack even basic time management skills and often end up wasting a lot of this invaluable resource.

If you want to tackle this fast moving world, time management is the only way to do it. Not only should you not waste your time, but also be able to make the best possible use of it to ensure the desired outcome.

Prioritizing activities in your daily life, tasks at workplace and responsibilities in your personal life will, not only save you a lot of time, but also reduce the stress involved with all these activities.

There are many who complain about not being able to focus on one thing at a time. Prioritizing your tasks, as per their deadlines, and then setting aside time to accomplish them can help.

Learn to outsource your work whenever necessary, delegate tasks and accept help to accomplish something when strict deadlines are involved.

Author Bio:

Saurabh Tyagi is a blogger and a professional career author with proven expertise in writing for topics related to jobs, job trends, different job opportunities, various workplace and industry information, tips and strategies for job seekers. You can follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Neha Yaduvanshi, Founder of Vastada Consulting, is an MBA from ICFAI Business School, Gurgaon.

After working with the top management in the corporate world for seven years, she realized that companies are making strategies focused on short-term profit and immediate success.

Companies fail to recognize their true potential and capability to play a bigger role in the society. Neha believes an organization is a very important part of our world and has a bigger role to play in the life of human beings by delivering healthy products and quality services, as well as building a happy and protected environment for internal and external stakeholders.

With this belief and determination to transform the way companies make their strategies, she started Vastada Consulting. Today, she is dedicated to enabling senior executives to understand the bigger role of an organization.

Naaree interviewed Neha to ask her what make her choose to be an entrepreneur and what tips she has to offer other women.

What inspired to become an entrepreneur? Did you always love it or was it something you got into?

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur since my childhood.

After working with the top management in the corporate world for seven years, I realized that companies are making strategies focused on short-term profit and immediate success.

Companies fail to recognize their true potential and capability to play a bigger role in the society.

I believe an organization is a very important part of our world and has a bigger role to play in the life of human beings by delivering healthy products and quality services, as well as building a happy and protected environment for internal and external stakeholders.

And with this belief and determination to transform the way companies make their strategies, I started my Vastada Consulting.

When do you know that it is no longer just an idea in your mind, and that you can really turn it into a lucrative business?

The moment I started Vastada Consulting, I was sure of its success. There are very few consulting firms helping clients in building a sustainable business and Vastada Consulting aims to be a global leader in providing sustainable strategic solutions in 10 years.

What inspired you to start out on your own? What learning lessons can you share from your startup experience?

I was always passionate about starting something of my own, which can create value in the world, and I am proud that today, with our dedication and focus, we have created a good organization led by a woman entrepreneur.

My learnings are:

• Always prepare more than you have asked for to prove your value and knowledge and the results will be in your favor.
• Keep your entrepreneurial spirit high and do things differently.
• Always do the right thing. People don’t regret making choices, what they regret is not having made the right choice be it at work or in personal life. We at help our clients make the right choices that will help them achieve their dream idea into a sustainable, fast-growing business.

What are some challenges that you faced initially when you started out? Do you have some examples to share and advice to women entrepreneurs on overcoming them?

Being young and into consulting, our prospect said, “You are very young, how are going to help us in business growth”.

Then I would always come up with sustainable and innovative solutions that surprise them, and they would also refer us to other companies.

My advice for women entrepreneurs:

• Being a woman entrepreneur you must focus your energy on the right things and right people. Make genuine connections in both, your personal and professional life. Having the right people and a positive environment around you helps you to move forward and reach new heights.
• Ask for help and you will get it. Never get afraid in reaching people to learn new concepts and discuss new ideas.
• Being an Indian woman, you have to work hard in your family and business both because of our culture and family expectations. So, be honest with yourself and keep your priorities right for the business. Keep a healthy balance between your business, family and friends.

What are all the things that a woman entrepreneur needs to keep in mind? I.e. apart from your great idea, what do you need to be armed with?

Have confidence in your skills and capabilities. It is always hard to be a woman entrepreneur. Prioritize your tasks and overcome challenges. The best part about a woman entrepreneur is that she can see possibilities even in the toughest of situations.

The most important decision any woman who wants to be an entrepreneur or want to have a successful career makes is about marriage. Get married to a right person if you want to have a successful career or business.

The partner who believes in your dreams more than you, changes your life completely. He will act as a partner, friend and business advisor and you can share everything with him.

I am lucky to have a husband who believes in my dreams and always pushes me to do better in both, business and life.

Do women entrepreneurs find it tougher to get funding for businesses? If yes, why do you think that is?

Yes. But, gender biases could be real or perceived. If you are a woman entrepreneur and equip yourself with all the required information, analyze data to prove your point and have an innovative business model, then investors will listen to you and definitely they will invest also.

The most difficult part with woman entrepreneur is networking. They hesitate to develop their own network of people across different industries because of our culture and patriarchal mindset of males.

But fighting with all odds, now women should also develop their own network of people who can help them in finding the right investors. Some important plus points for woman entrepreneurs are business values, integrity, industry insights, and people skills.

Is it beneficial to have a mentor when you’re starting out on your own? What does a mentor bring to the table?

Anyone can be your mentor. Your ex-boss, your father, people from your network, a friend, anyone who knows your positives and negatives about your decision making process.

In business, it’s important to make sound decisions based on research, analysis and facts. So, having a mentor helps you in making rational decisions and gives you rights advice your emotions come into your business while making decisions.

A mentor with experience brings a fresh perspective and new direction to the table. So, having a right mentor is important for the growth f business.

My mentor is my first VP-HR (my first internship) Mr Subodh Bhatnagar, having 20 years of experience in the corporate world. He is a blessing in the business. I always take his advice before making new arrangements and decisions.

How did you recruit your first team? How difficult was it to get people on board during the initial stages?

As consulting is a very crucial field and a client’s future depends on the solutions provided by you. So, hiring the right team and getting them to invest their lot of time in extensive research and analysis was a big thing for me.

Now, all our team members understand the importance of research and analysis. My first team was from references and I am proud of my team.

What are 3 key things that you have learned as an entrepreneur?

As a woman entrepreneur, I learned the following things:

• Define your business smartly, develop it into a brand and everything you do should be consistent with your brand identity. You should become the face of your business.
• Get out of your comfort zone and learn new things to drive your business.
• Bring out the best in your team. The most important asset for any company is its employees. Invest your time and values to make a great team to build a great company.

What would you describe as your biggest moments of success in your business?

Vastada Consulting works on the core values of sustainability, co-existence, and trust. Every time we create value for our clients is our big moment of success.

© Naaree.com

The post Naaree Interviews Neha Yaduvanshi, Founder, Vastada Consulting appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

Are you the kind of woman who likes to go for long drives, or head out into the unknown by yourself or with a bunch of gal pals?

Then you might want to understand a few car maintenance tips so that you can handle small glitches and problems without calling in the big guns.

According to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, around 90% of the female motorist are involved when it comes to the process of decision-making for the family’s vehicle maintenance as well as repair.

Although most women have a say in what happens to their family’s vehicle, do they really know what’s going on under the hood and how to better take care of it?

If you’re a woman who owns a car, this article will teach you some car care tips and car maintenance basics to make your vehicle last longer.

Always Check the Air Filter of Your Engine

Think of your car as a well-functioning body. The lung of your vehicle is the engine air filter. You have to check it on a regular basis to make sure it is functioning properly.

You can check the owner’s manual so you can see when the engine air filter ought to be swapped to make sure that your car can breathe well.

Do Check Your Car’s Engine Oil and Filter

If the engine air filter is the lung of your car, then the engine oil is the blood. You have to check the engine oil regularly.

Again, you can refer to the owner’s manual so you’ll know when the oil should be changed as well as which grade you should be using.

Also, try to talk to car enthusiast in your neighborhood. You’ll certainly gain some insights about the products they prefer to use and why.

Know How to Change a Tire

This is one of the most basic things any car owner should know. However, it’s a skill that is most often overlooked.

Don’t you know that you can go to a car care professional and ask them to show you how it’s done? Yes! This way, you will know how to do it if you ever find yourself alone on the road with no help in sight.

Another thing you ought to know is the right tire pressure when filling your tires. To be safe, read the owner’s manual to know what specific pressure is required for your car.

You can easily find the owner’s manual in the glove compartment or the door jamb. Don’t forget to fill and check your spare tire, too.

Prepare a Preventive Maintenance Checklist

If you do this, you’ll surely be thanking yourself because you’ll be saved from so much trouble when it comes to car problems. What you can do here is to take your car to an expert and have them perform a preventive maintenance check on your car.

Do this on a regular basis. Some of the things to check are the tire pressure, belts, hoses, fluid levels, engine oils, and the rest, making sure that they are all working well.

Takeaway

Now that you know some of the basic things that should be done to your vehicle, life won’t be too hard if you ever need to change a flat tire or encounter engine problems.

In severe cases, always have the number of your preferred car care professional in your phonebook at all times. This will make sure that you know who to call if you ever need help.

But for the easier maintenance check, continue to learn more about it, so you’ll know how to take care of your car better.

Author Bio

Williams A. Young is a car enthusiast who loves to share his knowledge about cars to anyone who is interested. When he is not busy taking care of his car, he loves to go camping with his camping vehicle from Darwin4WDHire. Williams also loves to write about his adventures and camping tips and techniques.

The post 4 Car Maintenance Tips Every Woman Should Know appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

Women in India have been successful at breaking away from their traditional roles and finding their place in society. This is especially true when it comes to education.

Today, they are pursuing college degrees and going after their dreams. According to research, almost 46 percent of women are enrolled in undergraduate studies, and over 40 percent of them are PhD students, which means they have also been successful at bridging the gender gap in higher education.

However, despite the fact that the number of college-educated Indian women is growing steadily every year, the situation is less than ideal when it’s time for them to find their place in the highly competitive job market.

They make up less than 15 percent of the workforce, and many those that do manage to get a job don’t have the luxury of choosing one which offers both decent salary and opportunities for career growth.

However, Indian women still have a chance to build their careers through a variety of other options, such as startups for example.

We’ve put together a list of the seven best career tools that can help Indian women build their careers and increase their chances of finding a good job.  Keep reading.

1. Angel.co

For those women interested in assuming complete control of their own destiny, as well as their career, AngelList is truly one of the best platforms out there.

If you are looking for a job in startups, or have an idea that needs an investor, AngelList offers tons of such opportunities, because it gathers the best angel investors, many of which have been entrepreneurs in the past, so they know all the ins and outs of startups.

One of the dynamics that makes this platform better than others is the high-quality vetting, as well as the transparency of the entire process, which used to be one of the pitfalls of this industry. You can make use of AngelList if you are an investor, as well.

2. ResumesPlanet

One of the things that can increase your chances of landing that dream job is having a killer resume.

Easier said than done, because there are dozens, or even hundreds of other applicants competing with you for the same job opening, which makes it very difficult to stand out.

Things get even more complicated if you’ve just finished college, and have no experience to speak of.

However, professional writers over at ResumesPlanet, one of the most reputable resumes writing services online, can help you make the most out of the experience and skills you do have, and shine a big spotlight on them.

They will make sure that the recruiters take notice when it comes to your strengths, as well as all information which might recommend you for the job, such as volunteering, or completion of relevant courses.

3. ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is probably the best resource online if you’re looking to find information on businesses, companies, as well as professionals.

Although it is mostly used by marketing experts in order to seek out potential leads and customers for their products and services, it is also a valuable tool for both companies and recruiters on one end, and those looking for a job on the other.

The list of companies and people is constantly updated, and currently, it has profiles on over 7 million businesses, and over 95 million people from all over the globe, which means you can always find numerous companies which are hiring at any given moment.

Searching through all that data is made easy, thanks to ZoomInfo’s semantic search engine, which always lists the most relevant results.

4. GojobHero

Getting hired these days is difficult, but it’s not any easier to find the right job, either. However, thanks to JobHero, that time-consuming process has been made much simpler.

It acts as a dashboard through which you can search for jobs, save them for later viewing, upload all of your documents, as well as your resume, and set up alerts which will notify you about the approaching deadlines for jobs you are interested in, so that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

JobHero is also available as an extension for your browser, which makes it even more convenient for job seekers.

5. JobScan

When recruiting potential candidates for a job, companies often rely on ATS (Applicant Tracking System), which are basically applications which automatically eliminate applicant resumes based on certain criteria.

This makes the recruiting process shorter for the companies, but it doesn’t help your chances. With Jobscan, you will be able to get past the ATS, and have your resume read by an actual recruiter.

All you have to do is upload your CV, and let the application analyze it. It will calculate how good of a match your resume is for a particular job, which provides you with the opportunity to improve it even further.

Another cool thing about Jobscan is that it’s constantly updated, so that it’s able to keep up with all the changes which are made in most ATS applications out there.

6. PayScale

PayScale is a software suite which provides you with a variety of HR and financial tools, so that you can receive safe and accurate payments for each and every one of your projects. This is especially useful if you are trying to build your career through startup companies or freelancing.

On the other hand, companies and corporations use it to determine the average rates for particular projects and services among contractors. This means you can adjust your rates to make yourself more competitive and interesting to potential employers.

You can also benefit from PayScale’s budgeting and benchmarking tools. Using all of these elements, you will be armed with almost everything you need to point your career in the right direction.

7. Brand Yourself

These days, the recruiters are looking into everything that has to do with potential job candidates, and that includes your online presence.

You don’t want a few questionable photos or statuses to cost you your job, so the best thing to do would be to clean up all of your online accounts and profiles.

However, while you might be able to do that fairly quickly, there is not much you can do about Google search results, as those will not change immediately.

This is where BrandYourself comes in. It allows you to create an online presence which will be acceptable and attractive for employers.

They also offer premium services, which includes advice from real life experts that will help you create relevant content. The idea is to have this quality content rank higher than those search results which you find less than desirable.

In Conclusion:

Building a career is hard nowadays, especially if you are a woman in a traditional society like India. You have to work extra hard in order to find a place for yourself, grow your reputation, develop your skills, and land that job you’ve always dreamed about.

The obstacles are there, but with these helpful tools and resources at your disposal, you will be able to make your road toward success just a little bit bumpy. Good luck!

Author’s bio:

Micheal Gilmore is a career advisor and blogger. He’s psyched about personal growth, business and marketing. In his parallel life, he loves hiking and can’t wait to see the Himalayas one of these days. Follow him on Twitter.

The post 7 Lesser Known Career Tools For The Woman Who Wants To Go Places appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

What does it mean to be powerful? What does it feel like to have a massive influence on the world?

These women can not only answer these questions, but also provide a good example of what global leaders should be like — and what women from all countries in the globe can accomplish.

Here are the 10 most powerful women in the world.

1. Angela Merkel

Each year, Angela Merkel tops the list of most powerful women. And not many could compete with the 60-year old German leader when it comes to political experience.

A former research scientist with a doctorate in physical chemistry, Merkel has clinched her third four-year term as German Chancellor thanks to her proactive role in governing her country. This makes her the longest serving elected EU head of state.

She has a fierce stance against Russia on Ukraine, this being only one of the demonstrations of her political will. She also provided military assistance to Kurds in order to counter ISIS.

Merkel is not just influential; she is one of the people who shape the world’s political landscape.

2. Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates is the wife of Bill Gates. But beyond that, she is an American philanthropist, a former Microsoft project manager, and is now the co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates uses her influence in order to directly aid people she thinks can really make a difference in the world. By giving grants and other forms of support, Melinda Gates helps develop the future of technology, and international development.

In fact, her philanthropic activities have cost her approximately $3.4 billion, $26 million of which is for providing the aforementioned grants.

For her services, Gates was appointed an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, back in 2013. She was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former US President Barack Obama in 2016.

Gates provides an example of how influential people can use their power to affect and change the lives of others for the better.

3. Sheryl Sandberg

These days, who still doesn’t have Facebook? This globally-used social networking site is currently under the direction of COO Sheryl Sandberg.

Sandberg was a former Google executive, who was brought on board by Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, back in 2007.

Now she oversees marketing, business development, sales, human resources, and communications. She also happens to be a significant shareholder.

Beyond the website, Sandberg has displayed commitment to serving others. With The Giving Pledge, she promised to give away half of her net worth to charity.

4. Hillary Clinton

Hilary Clinton is among the most powerful politicians in the United States, and has consistently landed spots on similar lists year after year.

Even with her recent loss during the 2016 presidential elections, she remains a remarkable presence, particularly for the Democratic Party.

Clinton has been through everything: she has served as the First Lady of the United States, as a US Senator, and as US Secretary of State. Throughout her political career she has fought for gender equality and health care reform.

She came close to becoming the president after winning a plurality of the national popular vote. However, she lost the Electoral College to Republican nominee Donald Trump.

With all her political experience, it’s no surprise that Clinton is among the most powerful women.

Having held on to so many different political positions, Clinton has become an inspiration for girls all over the world who aspire to become leaders.

5. Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde has been the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 2011.

Before this, she served as the Finance Minister of France. This is a post that she held onto for an entire six-year term.

The 59-year old French lawyer and politician was the first woman to become finance minister of a G8 economy. In fact, she is the first woman to head the IMF.

6. Dilma Rousseff

Dilma Rousseff is a Brazilian economist and politician who served as the 36^th President of her country from 2011 to 2016.

Her presidency is historic in that she was the first woman to hold the Brazilian presidency. She also previously served as the Chief of Staff to president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from 2005 to 2010.

Holding the highest position in the world’s seventh largest economy is no easy task. But Rousseff proved that it could be done if the leader is dedicated enough.

7. Michelle Obama

Though her husband has recently finished his term as US President, Michelle Obama remains an influential presence because of her philanthropic work and social awareness campaigns.

This American lawyer and writer became the First Lady of the United States when her husband Barack Obama became president.

She kept this position from 2009 to 2017, during which she gained the favor of the masses. In fact, she has a higher approval rating compared to her husband. She has an approval rating of 66 percent, whereas Barack Obama only has 44 percent.

This well-liked leader has been on the frontlines of the fight against obesity – a perennial problem in the US.

8. Janet Yellen

Janet Yellen is an American economist who now serves as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Before this, she served as Vice Chair from 2010 to 2014.

She was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Under President Bill Clinton, she was the Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. She was also a business professor at the University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

Holding control over the most influential central bank in the world, Yellen holds a huge responsibility that only a truly capable leader could take care of.

9. Mary Barra

Mary Barra is the first female CEO of a major global automaker, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the General Motors Company.

Her calm and confident persona helped the company bounce back after a 30-million-car recall due to faulty ignition switches.

10. Susan Wojcicki

Everyone has used YouTube, but does everyone now the current CEO of YouTube is a Polish-American woman named Susan Wojcicki?

Wojcicki helped revamp the video-sharing site’s strategy upon being acquired by Google for $1.65 billion.

These 10 women above are powerful, not simply because of the positions they hold, but because of their responsible and intelligent use of the power and influence they wield.

Author Bio:

Joe Mosier is a car enthusiast and loves working on his 2011 Mercedes Benz 300 C-Class. Other than that, he loves to cook and spend time with his family. In his free time, he writes about cars on Adsitco’s blog and shares them with his readers.

The post The 10 Most Powerful Women In The World appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

Since the beginning of mankind, the difference between the two sexes has always been highlighted in different manners. If in the past women were extremely disadvantaged compared men, the present time shows us how the inequality between sexes does no longer exist. At least…not in the way it was before.

International woman’s day (8^th March) is a great celebration that aims to deliver one important message: women need to be praised and treated the same as men. Moreover, it signifies the continuous need of rebalancing the conditions and rights that women have over the professional and business environment.

During the last several years, women have started to gain much more respect in the business marketplace. There are plenty of women that have made it big into the entrepreneurial world, many women that lead hundreds of men, and many women that are much better and much more skilled than the majority of men.

Now…when we talk about success and leadership, we can never assess these concepts by appealing to the sexes. These are two complex things that require skills and knowledge more than anything else. Of course, women might encounter different and more delicate challenges on their road towards success.

During today’s post, we’re going to take a look at what exactly makes a successful female leader. If you’re a woman looking for some insights that ought to give you inspiration and motivation, you’ve found the right resource.

Let’s get straight to the point.

1. Figure Out What Success Means to You

Man or woman, the path towards success starts with awareness. You need to become aware of what success means to you. Every person has different standards and expectations. For some, success means fortune, power, and legacy.

For others, success means being able to live a decent professional life that comes with the benefits of having more free time to spend with their loved ones.

What YOU need to figure out is your definition of success. No one will be able to help you except yourself. This is a process of self-awareness and is very much linked to your emotional intelligence aptitudes.

Once you become aware of what makes you itch, you’ll have much more control over your life, you’ll be able to feel inspired and motivated, and you’ll never feel lost. That is of course because you’ve already chosen your path and built your roadmap.

2. Be Extremely Confident in Your Mindset and Skills

We all develop our mindsets throughout our lives. Your mindset is basically the mechanism that makes you see the world the way you do right now. Every person has a different mindset and different values.

Great leaders are always confident that their mindset will lead them on the right path. That confidence makes them great persons to be around and to learn from. Moreover, if you’ve already taken the time and you’ve hustled to build your skills, you need to be very proud of yourself – but not in an exaggerated way.

A woman that shows this type of confidence will always make more impact in the workplace. Be aware of the fact that being in a leadership position also makes you a model for the people that are under you.

3. Pay Attention to Your Performance

A good leader is always paying attention to what’s working and what’s not. This doesn’t refer only to the professional environment, but also to the personal performance metrics.

Rachel Sklar is the founder of The Li.st and Change the Ratio, two successful businesses that many men would dream to have. When asked about what makes a great leader, she gave a very good insight:

“I would say that leadership is something that is learned. It can be learned and should be learned. Leadership is something you’re always honing and learning and reflecting to see ways you could have been better at it. Anyone who thinks they’re a natural leader is probably horrible to work with.”

If leadership is learning, then it automatically means that it’ll lead to a lot of failures. Many things will go wrong, and many decisions might not be the most appropriate. If you learn how to assess your performance, you’ll be able to slowly create a better overall performance for yourself and your team.

4. Cultivate Relationships, Always

Get out there and start building connections! One of the biggest traits that most successful people have is that they’re very resourceful. That resourcefulness comes from the relationship that they have built throughout time. Every person has a hidden talent that maybe one day will be very useful to your condition and needs.

Don’t think just about you though, as you need to deliver value to the other peer too. A constructive relationship is based on trust and help. You get the chance to help others become the best version of themselves by giving powerful advice and maybe even some of your resources.

If you don’t really enjoy doing this, then maybe leadership isn’t for you. The simple fact that you’re willing to sacrifice more and give more to others shows a strong indicator that you might just have what it takes. The only thing that’s left until you become a successful leader and not just a leader: lots of work, many fails, patience, and persistence.

5. Listen, Listen, Listen

Emily Shane, founder of SuperiorPapers has a very strong advice for all the women that are struggling to be successful at work:

“Being a woman and a leader of a group of men all in the same time is always difficult. In order to make it easier, I always sit back and listen. I carefully listen what everyone has to say. I listen to their problems, I listen to their joys, and I listen to everything they want me to listen. In the end, I come up with calculated responses based on what I’ve actually listened.”

As a matter of fact, she is extremely right about everything she said! You’d be surprised how hard listening actually is when you do it right. Most people aren’t really listening. They either judge internally, either develop self-talks, or they simply ignore the speaker because they’re too focused on their own issues.

Leadership never works this way. If you’re not able to listen to your colleagues and subalterns, your efficiency will never shine. A great communication between the employee and the higher rank is always necessary in order to ensure a productive environment and effective results for your company.

Takeaways

Success is not about results. It’s all about the journey. Becoming the best version of yourself will allow you to overstep your most daunting limitations and create a better future for yourself. You’ll be able to seize great opportunities, and eventually, enjoy a lifestyle that’s full of fulfillment.

Once you are able to show lots of aptitudes and skills, the fact that you’re a woman will only make you shine more. Yes, women that are great leaders are always better viewed than men that do the same thing. So never discourage yourself, and always do your best to do more and better!

Author Bio:

Joan Selby is a former ESL teacher and a content marketer at BestEssays. She also runs her own blog about social media and writing tips. Joan is a Creative Writing graduate and fancy shoelover. A writer by day and reader by night, giving creative touch to everything. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook

The post 5 Strategies To Become A Successful Female Leader appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

Discussing differences in job choice, performance, and income between the sexes is like crossing a minefield. This article is not intended to be the last word on these issues, nor is it a primer on the topic.

Rather, we’ll try to pinpoint a few potential choices some female job seekers might be making. Choices, conscious or unconscious, that can become obstacles on the road to landing a new job.

There are no quick and easy fixes for issues this complex. However, there are some moves you can make — starting with writing a solid resume and optimizing how you send your application through to figuring out what to do and say in a job interview.

So, here are three major mistakes with tips on how you can avoid them.

1. Giving up too soon

Last year, interviewing.io ran an interesting experiment. They created a voice modulator and made some men sound like women and some women sound like men. Then, they used it during trial interviews.

According to interviewing.io’s own data, women do worse in technical interviews than men. The hypothesis of the experiment was that this gap in interview performance stems from a pro-male bias. Thus, removing gender-relevant information and tweaking people’s voices should result in no difference in performance.

The surprising and troubling finding was that women did worse in interviews nonetheless.

However, additional analyses revealed that the performance gap could be explained by different dropout rates among women and men.

As it turned out, women were seven times more likely to leave interviewing than men.

Apparently, women didn’t stick around long enough to hit a home run, as they were more likely to quit using the website (i.e., doing interviews) after an interview went bad.

It seems that women get discouraged from continuing with the process once they’ve faced rejection.

Sure, this study was done with a specific sample of people, in a field dominated by men. But, if there is any industry dependent on easily tested skills, it’s computer science.

What’s more, these findings converge with numerous studies done on stereotypes, attrition, confidence, and self-image.

How to cope: According to statistics from the field of HR and recruitment rejection is an inherent part of any job hunt. Most job seekers, no matter their gender, will get rejected on most occasions.

Large companies can receive up to 250 resumes in response to a job ad. The number of applicants who get invited to job interviews is a single digit number.

Tip: Brace yourself, you will be turned down most of the time — it’s an inherent part of the job hunt. Move on to the next offer and continue sending out resumes.

Pro tip: Sometimes you might not get any feedback or reply from the recruiter. Don’t assume it’s because you were rejected. Most recruiters actually expect to get thank-you notes, so it’s your chance to seize initiative and reach out to them.

This could be a great opportunity to remind them you’ve got what it takes. Just make sure you read up on these tips on how to follow up with recruiters.

2. Underrating your ability

Women’s status in the workplace is complicated. What’s more, there’s a body of research in the social sciences suggesting a confidence gap.

And a confidence gap isn’t constructive when you’re competing for a job. What’s more, it’s not just about past achievement. It’s also about how you write it up on your resume.

A candidate who’s followed best practice in resume writing and perfected their job interview pitch comes across as above average. Even if this is not the case performance-wise.

You need to keep up with what the competition is doing. Those who haven’t followed job market trends stand out — for all the wrong reasons.

No one likes a liar and recruiters are not gullible people. We’re not encouraging you to pack your resume full of power buzzwords and corporatese braggadocio.

However, being overcautious about your skills is never a good idea. No one likes a braggart, but no one pays attention to church mice either.

Tip: Focusing solely on your image is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, pushing more swagger into your resume makes sense. On the other hand, there is some data suggesting that women are penalized for being too direct or “unfeminine.”

The solution: the middle path. Stick to facts about your career and attributes — share your skills, experience, and success on your resume by being specific and providing examples.

3. Underappreciating your market value

According to hired.com’s report on women, work, and the state of wage inequality, women tend to ask for lower salaries than men.

Yes, some employers undervalue female candidates and might offer them lower salaries. Fixing the wage gap requires more serious measures and is beyond the means of a single individual.

However, as an individual applicant, you don’t want to self-sabotage the salary negotiations.

Tip: Before walking into an interview (or perhaps even before applying), thoroughly research the industry to figure out the running rates for the position in question. That way you’ll know what people are paid, and you will feel more confident when telling the recruiter how much you want to earn.

Note: Be careful though. There is another lesson to be learned here. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that when it comes to millennials the wage gap is shrinking, and perhaps even reversing.

While surprising, it makes sense when you consider the following fact — female students have been outperforming males at every stage of their educations, including university. And education is a pretty good predictor of professional success and earnings.

Hired.com’s own research also suggests that women with less than five years of experience in tech were asking for, and getting, better salaries than their male peers.

Now, it might be the case that senior female job candidates have seen lower salaries early on in their careers, compounding over time. Millennials, on the other hand, might be pushing for parity or they don’t differ in their expectations.

Since the research comes from the tech industry, another explanation could be that companies are trying to diversify their workplace, putting female developers in high demand. That would allow junior female candidates to take on attractive, well-compensated positions.

Pro tip: No matter what the case may be, it’s best to investigate salaries in your field rather than upping your salary expectations by a few percentage points by default. That way, you won’t overshoot (which can sabotage an otherwise successful recruitment process), and you won’t depreciate your market value at the same time.

Some extra fixes

Here’s a quick recap. On average, female job seekers:

• Might be somewhat more likely to be discouraged by negative outcomes.
• Are either less confident or less likely to overrate their competencies and qualifications.
• Find it more difficult to ask for appropriate compensation.

Getting your resume just right for each potential employer is the first and most important step of any job hunt.

Let’s see what we can do about the above-mentioned challenges to leverage your resume to your advantage.

Tip: One thing female job hunters might want to do is to focus on skills.

There are several great guides on how to find skills in job ads, how to put them on your resume, and how to find out what skills are valued across the board.

These may not be game-changers, but will help you avoid some pitfalls:

• You’ll provide specific, verifiable facts.
• You won’t have to rely on impressions but will shift the focus to what is.
• You won’t question yourself and you’ll avoid underestimating your talent.

First off, you need to tailor your resume to the recruiter’s needs. To do this, you’ll need to carefully read the job ad, mark any skill keywords or phrases implying traits.

Once you’ve got a list of requirements, see how you compare. If you can tick all of them off, you’re a perfect match.

If you lack some or are uncertain about whether you live up to the employer’s expectations, don’t get discouraged. If it’s a skill or trait that isn’t crucial for excelling at the job, you might still want to apply.

Since women tend to take up offers only when they are confident about their chances, you might want to loosen up your approach a bit. This is controversial advice — or at least advice not all recruiters would be happy about.

Pay attention to the skills section on your resume.

Be specific about what you can do. If you know how to make pivot tables, run and write macros, and visualize data in Excel, write that. Don’t assume that merely listing “Excel” among your skills is enough for the recruiter to assume you know your way around this piece of software.

The bottom line

Mentioning you’re good at something may prove challenging at first. Bookmark this article. Re-read our tips when you’re in doubt. Follow the links, they’ll explain in detail what you need to know.

The take-home message for you is: Yes, you will get rejected. Pretty much all of us will. Yes, you can show off your skills in a reasonable manner without coming across as boastful. And yes, you can ask for appropriate compensation.

The post How Female Job Seekers Are Unintentionally Self-Sabotaging Their Job Hunt appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

In all the coverage about sexual harassment in the startup ecosystem, I think this is one of the most honest accounts from a woman’s viewpoint that I have read. I love Perri Chase’s honesty and candor about her own experience with a potential investor.

She openly admits that she’s “not the first or only woman who has ever used being a woman to get time with a man” and that this is where we, as women, need to take more responsibility for getting our lines crossed.

I have personally seen how women flock to powerful men in the startup ecosystem, knowing full well that there are no free lunches. Many of these women are very willing to put out, to get that all-important introduction to a potential investor.

The problem is that these willing women end up creating an untenable situation for women who are not interested in being sexually propositioned.

In that sense, we need to admit that, by tolerating and giving into an investor’s sexual advances, we are part of creating and enabling that exploitative culture.

Also, as Perri notes, different women have different abuse thresholds. While those who have never been abused in their lives might take offense at the slightest hint of impropriety, others who have a higher abuse threshold may not find a similar come-on offensive.

Part of the problem, she notes, is that “in an ecosystem where socializing and happy hours are a big way to meet or get to know investors, there are no real clear lines about what is personal and what is professional.”

Looking for a mentor? Here are some ways that you can learn to navigate the tricky world of meeting colleagues and investors at work and outside of it.

1. Take responsibility for what you create

Like Perri, I believe in taking radical personal responsibility for my life.

This means I buy into the concept that I alone am responsible for whatever I create in my life. Blaming others is a waste of time and gets you nowhere, except deeper into the victim mentality.

Like her, I also believe that I am powerless to change anyone but myself, and that I alone control the choices I make. Her statements that resonate most with me are:

“We can talk about changing men until we are blue in the face, but the only person who is ever truly responsible for my safety is me… It’s not pointing the finger of blame at him. It’s finding the places where you have control and taking it back.”

That does not mean that men don’t need to learn how to behave better. They very much do! But until then, take responsibility for your own safety.

2. Have a value proposition ready

Don’t assume that people will have your best interests at heart. Most people go through life looking out only for themselves and their loved ones. Very few people are truly altruistic in their intentions.

The truth is that most people only care for their own interests. Especially if you’re a stranger to them. Approach them keeping that in mind.

All relationships involve give and take. So if you’re hoping that someone powerful will mentor you or introduce you to their contacts, you’d better have a value proposition for them too.

This applies as much to women investors and mentors, as it does to men. No one is going to be motivated to help you out if they see no benefit in it for themselves. A mentee must be able to add some value to a mentor’s life, too.

Whether this involves giving them a larger share of your stock or helping them deal with some aspect of their business that they are having problems with, it’s up to you to do your homework and find out where their interests lie or what they need help with, and then offer to help them out with it.

In other words, if you want something from someone, make them an offer they can’t refuse (preferably one that doesn’t involve sexual favours or violence).

3. Teach people how to treat you

I believe that we teach people how to treat us. This is one of the biggest issues we need to address if we are to create a safer environment for women in business.

We women need to get out of the victim mindset and take our power back. It’s up to us to start setting very clear boundaries on the sort of behavior we won’t tolerate. And it’s a good idea to do that even before you meet up with a man.

Then, if he loses interest when you’ve set clear boundaries, at least you’ll know that your business was never what interested him in the first place.

If you’ve already met up and want to get out of it, all you have to say is, “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’re on the same page here,” or “I think I misunderstood what this meeting was about,” and part on friendly terms (or not, depending on how he takes rejection).

Should someone constantly disrespect your boundaries and keep making unwanted sexual advances, don’t feel guilty about it. It’s not your fault that he’s a creep. You have every reason to report him to the authorities.

But, I believe that if we learn to be more assertive, are willing to take responsibility for our own expectations, and walk away at the first sign of trouble, there’ll be no need for hurt feelings and accusations.

4. Trust your instincts

If you feel there’s something off, cancel the meeting or leave if you’re already there. Trust your gut.

Never second-guess yourself or put yourself in a vulnerable position where the lines can get blurry. If you know that drinking alcohol clouds your judgment, avoid drinks altogether or sip a mocktail at a business meeting.

We can all teach men to treat us with respect… as human beings who are not interested in being pawed or propositioned when we approach them for advice, mentorship or funding.

Let’s start by taking responsibility for our own expectations and actions so that we can create a better environment for all involved.

What did you think of these tips? Did you find them useful or were you offended? Let me know at @PriyaFlorence

 © Priya Florence Shah is an author, CEO of Blog Brandz, and publisher of Naaree.com.

The post Women Entrepreneurs, Here’s How To Get Investors To Treat You Right appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

Widespread and rampant violence against women is one of the most pressing problems India struggles with as a society. It is estimated that around 37 percent of Indian women have experienced either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

In 2013 alone, there were nearly a hundred and twenty thousand reports of domestic violence against women, according to India’s National Crime Records Bureau.

Furthermore, a 2015 study conducted by the Planning Commission of India surmised that a whopping 84 percent of women have been abused in their homes at least once.

However, a majority of these women are far too afraid of social stigma to reveal that they are victims of abuse. This is due to women’s poor social standing in Indian society, where beating a woman for even the smallest things is seen as a justified act.

In turn, this leads to a lack of support, even from close friends, when domestic violence victims seek help in escaping their situation.

Thankfully, the Indian government has already put into place a number of rules and regulations that are designed to protect Indian women from domestic violence.

If the following laws are properly enforced, women in India may be able to hope for safer, more peaceful homes within the near future.

1. The Indian Penal Code Amendment in 1983

A special section, numbered 498-A, that officially made domestic violence a criminal offense was added to the Indian Penal Code in 1983. This section of the law specifically covers cruelty towards married women by their husbands or their husbands’ families.

A helpful clause in this section allows women’s relatives to make the complaint for them. This is extremely beneficial in cases where the woman is too afraid to speak up for herself, for reasons such as she could get caught by her husband or simply cannot leave the house.

One kind of cruelty that can be punished is behavior that causes a woman’s death or serious injury, or pushes her to commit suicide. Another kind is the type of harassment relating to intimidating the woman or her relatives to give up her property.

Under the policy, acts of cruelty include, but are not limited to, the following:

• physical abuse;
• mental torture through threats to her or her loved ones (such as children);
• denying the woman food;
• locking her in or out of the house as punishment; and
• demanding perverse sexual acts against the woman’s will.

Convicted offenders will be charged with up to three years of prison, as well as a hefty fine.

2. The 2005 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act

Created in 2005 and enacted over a year later, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act is exactly what the title proclaims.

This is the first law in India to specifically acknowledge every woman’s right to be in a home without violence. In fact, it was seen as a major step forward in securing women’s rights and more effective protection.

It is a long and comprehensive law that details several important policies and procedures meant to help women.

First, it gives a specific definition of domestic violence: actual or threats of physical, mental, emotional, sexual, or verbal abuse, as well as harassment regarding dowry or property.

Women are given the right to seek protection against such acts, and their relatives can file a complaint for them against husbands who break the law.

Second, a woman’s right to reside in their “matrimonial household” is clearly recognized. She cannot be evicted from it as she rightfully shares it with her husband.

If she is evicted, she has the right to seek monetary compensation and safe shelter, as well as free legal and medical aid.

Lastly, both NGOs and divisions of the Indian Government – such as the National Commission for Women – took the initiative to organize awareness seminars that could be easily attended by women who are affected by this act, e.g., women in high risk areas.

Violators of this law will either be mandated to compensate the woman financially, or will be served a restraining order to keep them away from the complainant.

3. The 2013 Criminal Law Amendment

As a response to the requests made by the Justice Verma Committee, a small commission named after and headed by one of India’s most highly regarded jurists, a lengthy list of amendments to the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act were introduced in this 2013 act.

The aim of the amendment was to provide harsher and swifter punishment for those criminals who committed abuse against women.

Details regarding sexual assault and rape were clarified and added onto. For instance, “rape” was given a better and more exhaustive legal definition, to include non-consensual penetration using non-sexual objects, as well as non-penetrative sexual acts.

Penalties for offenses such as rape, assault, and sexual harassment were increased.

In particular, heavier sentences were declared for rapists, even including the death sentence for particularly disturbing cases, such as gang rape where the victim was left in a vegetative state after the crime.

New offenses that are punishable by law were introduced by the amendment as well. These include, but are not limited to:

• acid attacks (the act of throwing acid upon a woman with the intention of disfiguring, maiming, or outright killing her);
• stalking;
• voyeurism (spying with prurient or indecent interest); and
• publicly and forcefully disrobing a woman

However, despite the commission’s recommendations, the amendment failed to address the issue of marital rape. This exception basically assumes that marriage automatically means the woman will always consent to her husband’s sexual desires.

This ridiculous notion implies that rape cannot happen within a marriage, when in fact it does, and even happens quite frequently to Indian women.

Crime Against Women Cells

This is an initiative of the Indian government to better help female victims of domestic abuse. In every district’s police station, a Crime Against Women (CAW) cell was put in place.

Women suffering from domestic violence may approach these specialized help desks for direct assistance from the police, whether to file an official complaint or follow up on one. Each one is headed by an assistant commissioner.

This program begun in 2010, as the Indian government’s answer to steadily growing numbers of abuse that targeted women.

In Summary

While the Indian government has made significant efforts in reducing the largely unchecked epidemic of violence against women, there is still a long way to go.

Merely passing laws meant to protect women from abuse is obviously not enough to achieve success. Even after the 2013 amendment, horrific crimes such as gang rapes continue to happen, and happen publicly.

The numbers have even continued to rise, though this may be because of increased awareness among women, resulting in greater reporting of domestic violence overall.

A necessary step in moving forward lies in changing the overall mindset of society towards women. There needs to be more education on how to treat women as equals, instead of as lesser beings that deserve to be punished for the tiniest mistakes.

If the Indian government can combine proper enforcement of their existing laws with thoughtful gender education programs, we could be looking at a safer and brighter future for Indian women in the next few decades.

About the Author:

Jon works in marketing team at Loch Employment Law – The Employment Law Lawyers in the UK. He is fond of reading, writing & meeting people. In a former life, Jon worked as a content specialist and has good knowledge about employment policies & law. You can catch up with Jon at Loch Employment Law London office for any advice related to employment laws.

The post 3 Crucial Laws Against Domestic Violence In India: Know Them, Protect Yourself appeared first on Naaree.com - Women At Work | Indian Woman's Magazine.

We don’t typically stray too far into entertainment here, but we happen to be approaching the end of a summer during which one of the most important films for young women in recent memory came out.

Wonder Woman was an inspired effort by director Patty Jenkins and star actress Gal Gadot, and one that earned a great deal of acclaim across the world of cinematic review.

In part, it was a relief simply because it was a very fun, very well made movie. But it was also a major film for female empowerment, and not just in a superficial sense.

We see this as an important event not just in film or entertainment, but for women in general. So with that said, here are four life lessons women can learn from Wonder Woman.

1.  Natural Bodies Are Beautiful

We’ve written before about body shaming, and it’s something that’s done in a subtle way in films all the time.

Women are often digitally retouched or edited to look unrealistic, thus reinforcing harmful perceptions about what the “ideal” woman looks like.

Similarly, overweight women (or men, to be fair) are often mocked on screen as if it’s a joke we’re all okay with. Well, Wonder Woman takes a more natural and realistic approach.

Sure, Gadot has clearly worked hard on her body to get into superhero shape, but she wasn’t retouched or enhanced to be so fit or curvy as to be unrealistic.

In fact, Twitter celebrated her thigh jiggle at one point in the film, and it’s also been pointed out that other powerful women in the film displayed aging skin and other imperfections.

These are small but important messages that should teach young women to be okay with their bodies.

2. Women Can Lead Men

By 2017 this ought to be obvious, and yet young women still look at a world in which men constantly try to assert themselves as superior leaders.

Men are in charge of more high profile companies, men are the most prominent coaches and athletes, and men dominate politics for the most part.

In the U.S., in particular, this has been emphasized, as a deeply experienced female candidate lost the presidential election to a man with a history of misogynist comments.

But Wonder Woman teaches us in no uncertain terms that a strong and capable woman can absolutely inspire a following and lead men.

Logically, this should be no surprise, but it’s wonderful to see an example played out on screen.

3. Women Can Be Mentors

This is similar to the second point, but it’s something worth noting specifically with regard to cinematic examples. From Good Will Hunting to Batman Begins, we’re used to seeing not only male leads, but male mentors for those leads.

Wonder Woman took a different approach, with its lead character raised and taught by a full community of goddess-like women. It’s actually interesting that they tapped into ancient Greek culture, as the ancients seemed to have a healthier idea regarding female role models.

Even now when we celebrate their mythology we give equal attention to women. There’s a prominent series of arcade games online called “Age of the Gods,” featuring slot reels devoted to different characters. And among them, entire games are modeled after the likes of Athena, goddess of wisdom, and the Fate Sisters of mythology.

The ancient world celebrated such characters, and Wonder Woman echoed that world with its female leaders and mentors. Young women may be inspired now to seek out similar figures in their own lives.

4.  Action Beats Hesitation

It’s sad to say so, but a lot of women in today’s business world are hesitant to assert themselves because of the prevailing culture of male dominance and authority.

Women can be uncertain about speaking up or taking action independently, for fear of rebuke or disappointment. But the actual character of Wonder Woman should teach a powerful example in the other direction.

Another article looking at lessons to learn from the character, specifically for teachers, stated that Diana (Wonder Woman’s real name) conquers “No Man’s Land” in the film because she’s willing to act.

The not-so-subtle message there is that a woman can do what no man ever has; but the more valuable life lesson is to take action when you know you’re capable.

Related articles across the web

• Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins to become highest-paid female director in history
• Gal Gadot dishes out a harsh reality check to people who are body-shaming the new Wonder Woman
• Wonder Woman Won Comic-Con
• ‘Wonder Woman 2’ Finally, Officially Lassos Director Patty Jenkins

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